Evidence-Based Practice

• POPULATION: What are the characteristics of this patient population and the problem/ question that is being addressed?
• INTERVENTION: What is the treatment or course of action typically taken being considered?
• COMPARISON: What is the alternative (or standard course of action) to the intervention to compare it to?
• OUTCOME: What is the hoped for accomplishment/ improvement/ or affect for the stated population?

Intervention/Therapy

Questions addressing how a clinical issue, illness, or disability is treated.

"In__________________(P), how does__________________(I) compared to_________________(C) affect______________(O)?"

Etiology

Questions that address the causes or origin of disease, the factors which produce or predispose toward a certain disease or disorder.

"Are_________________(P), who have_________________(I) compared with those without_________________(C) at_________________risk for/of_________________(O) over_________________(T)?" 

Diagnosis:

Questions addressing the act or process of identifying or determining the nature and cause of a disease or injury through evaluation.

In_________________(P) are/is_________________(I) compared with_________________(C) more accurate in diagnosing_________________(O)?

Prognosis/Prediction:

Questions addressing the prediction of the course of a disease.

In_________________(P), how does_________________(I) compared to_________________ (C) influence_________________(O)?

Meaning

Questions addressing how one experiences a phenomenon or why we need to approach practice differently.

"How do_________________(P) with_________________(I) perceive_________________(O)?" 

Adapted from: Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

• TRIP Database 

  Users can search by PICO to locate Systematic Reviews. Articles are ranked by Evidence Pyramid. Search Evidence Based Synopses, Random Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials, Case-Controlled Studies, primary research, and more.