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Templates for PICO Questions

QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONS:

Therapy/Intervention Questions (Examines therapeutic treatment for healthcare problems and their efficacy, cost, and potential harm).

In____________________, what is the effect of ______________________on______________

compared with?

Diagnosis/Assessment Questions (Assist the clinician in determining which diagnostic test will be best to confirm or exclude a diagnosis and with what degree of precision).

Are (Is)________________________________________more accurate in diagnosing _______________

Compared with_____________________________________________________________?

Prognosis Questions (Evaluates the course of treatment over time, any complications, and overall prognosis).

Does____________________________________influence_______________________________in

patients who have_________________________________________________________________?

Causation/Etiology/Harm Questions (Looks at the causes of disease, including iatrogenic causes, potential harm and benefits).

Are____________________________who have____________________________at_________________

Risk for/of_______________________________compared with_______________________________

without________________________________________?

Prevention Questions (Assists the clinician in identifying risk factors that if adjusted can help reduce the chance of developing the disease).

For__________________________________does the use of_________________________________

Reduce the future risk for________________________________compared with___________________?

QUALITATIVE QUESTIONS: (Assists in identifying the meaning or experience of a disease or condition).

Meaning Questions

How do__________________________diagnosed with_____________________________________

_______________________perceive___________________?

What is it like for _______________________________to experience______________

condition/illness____________________________________________________?

Process Questions: (Describes the process of coping or adapting to a disease or condition).

What is the process by which_______________________copes with, adapts to, or lives

with_________________________?

Note: These are only examples and are for practicing. There are various ways to ask a certain type of question. Do not get stuck in the mindset that there is only one way to ask a particular type of question.

Modified from:

Nollan, R, Fineout-Overholt, E. & Stephenson, P. (2005). Asking compelling clinical questions. In Melnyk, B. & Fineout-Overholt, E. (Eds.) Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (pp.25-37). Philadelphia: PA Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

6/07/12 WR/rk

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