Formulating a PICO question is the first step in the process of carrying out a focused literature review and analysis of evidence.
PICO is an acronym for the elements of the clinical question: a way of asking a clinical question that will help guide the search for evidence.
P = Patient population of interest: Identify patients by age, gender, ethnicity, disease or health problem
I = Intervention of interest (can also be issue of interest that has no comparison): Which intervention is worthwhile to use in practice? Which issue is studied (e.g. a treatment, diagnostic test, prognostic factor)?
C = Comparison of interest (you do not always have a comparison): What is the usual standard of care or current intervention used now in practice?
O = Outcome: What results do you wish to achieve or observe as a result of an intervention (e.g. change in patient behavior, physical findings, patient perception)?
Example of a PICO Question
Example:
"How effective is the consumption of low glycemic index foods for reducing energy intake and promoting weight loss in adults?
| Population | Adults |
| Intervention | Consumption of low glycemic index foods |
| Comparison | No comparison |
| Outcome |
Weight loss, and reduced energy intake |
This scenario will help you to develop a PICO Question:
Scenario: A 47 year old woman comes to see you. She is overweight, concerned about her overall health, and would like to lose weight quickly. She has heard a report on the radio suggesting that resistant corn or potato starch can reduce obesity. You begin to investigate any evidence to support this.
Population: overweight adults
Intervention: resistant starch
Comparison: ordinary starch
Outcome: weight loss
PICO Question: In overweight adults, how does resistant starch compared with ordinary starch effect weight loss?
Brief Overview of Levels of Evidence
Detailed Overview of Levels of Evidence
