Types of PICOT Questions
Therapy, drug, or other intervention
In ___ (P), what is the effect of ___ (I), as compared with ___ (C) on ___ (O) [within ___ T]?
In low-birth-weight pre-term neonates (P), what is the effect of skin to skin contact immediately after birth (I) as compared to conventional care (C) in the incidence of hypothermia (O)?
Etiology
(Intervention is an exposure or risk factor)
Are ____ (P) who have _______ (I) at ___ (Increased/decreased) risk for/of_______ (O) compared with ______ (P) with/without ______ (C) over _____ (T)?
Are 45-65 year old women (P) who have high blood pressure (I) at an increased/decreased risk for an acute myocardial infarction (O) compared with those without high blood pressure (C) during the first year after hysterectomy (T)
Diagnosis
(Intervention is a diagnostic tool, often compared to a gold standard, population often includes disease/diagnosis)
Are/Is _________ (I) more accurate in diagnosing ________ (P) compared with ______ (C) for _______ (O)?
In middle-aged men with suspected myocardial infarction (P), are serial 12-lead ECGs (I) compared with one initial 12-lead ECG (C) more accurate in diagnosing an acute myocardial infarction(O)?
Prevention
For ________ (P) does the use of ______ (I) reduce the future risk of ________ (O) compared with _________ (C)?
For adults over age 65 (P) does a daily 30 minute exercise regimen (I) reduce the future risk of heart attack (O) compared with no exercise regimen (C)?
Prognosis
Does __________ (I) influence ________ (O) in patients who have _______ (P) over ______ (T)?
Does telemonitoring blood pressure (I) influence blood pressure control (O) in adults over age 65 with hypertension (P) within six months of initiation of the medication (T)?
Meaning
How do ________ (P) diagnosed with _______ (I) perceive ______ (O) during _____ (T)?
How do middle aged women (P) with fibromyalgia (I) perceive loss of motor function (O)?