PICOT is a framework that nurses can use to formulate effective clinical questions in a step-by-step manner. Nurse clinicians encounter many situations for which they do not have the information needed to provide the best care for their patients. From this uncertainty springs forth clinical inquiry.
Clinical inquiry is a process in which clinicians gather data using narrowly defined clinical parameters. This process allows for an appraisal of the available choices of treatment, for the purpose of finding the most appropriate choice of action. Clinical inquiry is encapsulated in the form of a clinical question.
PICOT is a useful format and structure for developing a clinical research question. PICOT helps the clinician in finding the right evidence to answer questions and decrease uncertainty.
 |
What patient population/problem are you trying to address? |
| What will you do for the patient or problem? | |
| Alternatives to your chosen intervention? (optional) | |
| What will be improved for the patient or problem? | |
| Time frame (optional) |
