Transcript Library Resources

Working PICOT Questions
NURS 1261 Tips & Examples
Why use PICOT?
Before:
I will find research that supports delayed progression of
multiple sclerosis as found through MRIs over the course of
ten years in diagnosed Canadian women between age 20 and
50 with Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation versus
without.
After: clarity & a question
In Canadian women with multiple sclerosis between ages 20 to
50 (P), how does supplementation with calcium & vitamin D (I)
affect MS lesion loads detected by MRI (O) over a 10 year period
(T)?
PICOT reduces cognitive load
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For you and your instructor!
- don’t make extra work for your reader
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Enter elements in standard order
- first P, then I, then C, then O, then T
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Identify the elements right inside your question:
In older adults (P) how does hydromorphone (I) compared with
acetaminophen (C) affect pain relief (O) within the first hour after
administration (T)?
What type of question do you have?
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Intervention: what treatment has the best outcome?
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Prognosis: what is the course/likely complications of a
condition?
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Etiology: what are the greatest risk factors or causes?
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Diagnosis: which test is most accurate and precise?
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Meaning: what is the meaning of an experience for an
individual or group?
>1 working PICOT Q can be helpful
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In older adults over 75 (P), is cranberry juice (I) or water (C)
more effective in preventing recurring UTI's after antibiotic
treatment (O)?
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In older adults over 75 (P), is the amount of cranberry juice (I)
or the frequency of administering cranberry juice (C) more
effective in preventing recurring UTI's (O)?
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In older adults over 75 (P), is cranberry juice (I) or cranberry
tablets (C) more effective in preventing recurring UTI's (O)?
1 scenario, 2 types of possible questions
Etiology/risk question:
 Are adults over 65 who have COPD (P) who are smokers (I)
at increased risk for reduced lung capacity (O)?
Intervention/therapy question:
 In adults over 65 who have COPD (P), how does teaching
breathing exercises (I) improve lung function/spirometry
scores (O) over 6 months(T)?
1 scenario, 2 populations, 2 question types
Intervention question:
 P adults over 65 years in residential care
 I receiving medication from RCAs
 C receiving medication from RNs
 O rates of medication errors
Meaning question:
 P RCAs working in residential care
 I delivering medication to patients
 O workload and level of responsibility
1 scenario, C and O still tbd
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P adults over 65 years in residential care
I daily checking and recording of vital signs
C episodic checking and recording of vital signs / monthly
checking and recording of vital signs
O improved patient care? / improved monitoring of health
conditions?
1 scenario, I and O tbd
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P adults over 65 years in residential care
I who have communication barriers / ESL / physical speech
impediment
O greater risk for reduced pain management? / missed
diagnosis / increased risk of neglect / missed symptoms /
increased patient distress / social isolation
Don’t be shy to get help!
Email your Q or make an appointment:
 Alison Curtis 604-323-5465 [email protected]
More urgent? You can also:
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Text: 604-670-6866
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