Transforming a clinical inquiry into a searchable question in PICO(T) format

Transforming a clinical inquiry into a searchable question in PICO(T) format

Discussion: Searching Databases

When you decide to purchase a new car, you first decide what is important to you. If mileage and dependability are the important factors, you will search for data-focused more on these factors and less on color options and sound systems.

The same holds true when searching for research evidence to guide your clinical inquiry and professional decisions. Developing a formula for an answerable, researchable question that addresses your need will make the search process much more effective. One such formula is the PICO(T) format.

In this Discussion, you will transform a clinical inquiry into a searchable question in PICO(T) format, so you can search the electronic databases more effectively and efficiently. You will share this PICO(T) question and examine strategies you might use to increase the rigor and effectiveness of a database search on your PICO(T) question.

To Prepare:

• Review the materials offering guidance on using databases, performing keyword searches, and developing PICO(T) questions provided in the Resources.
• Review the Resources for guidance and develop a PICO(T) question of interest to you for further study.

https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/az.php

http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/keyword/boolean

http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/keyword/searching-basics

Post your PICO(T) question, the search terms used, and the names of at least two databases used for your PICO(T) question. Then, describe your search results in terms of the number of articles returned on original research and how this changed as you added search terms using your Boolean operators. Finally, explain strategies you might make to increase the rigor and effectiveness of a database search on your PICO(T) question. Be specific and provide examples.

INSTRUCTIONS: USE THE LINKS TO ASSIST YOU WITH THE HEALTH-RELATED QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION. NURSING DATABASES SHOULD BE USED AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS FROM THOSE LINKS. IF NOT SEND ME AN MESSAGE AND I CAN TRY TO SEND ANOTHER LINK. PICOT QUESTION (P) POPULATION/PATIENT age, gender, ethnicity with a certain disorder (I) intervention/indicator-variable of interest, exposure to a disease, risk behavior, prognostic factor (C) comparison/control- could be a placebo or “business as usual” as in no disease, absence of risk factor (O) outcome-risk of disease, the accuracy of a diagnosis, rate of occurrence of adverse outcome (T) time- the time it takes for intervention to achieve an outcome or how long participants are observed. EX PICOT: In adult patients with total hip replacements hoe effective is PCA pain medication compared to prn IM pain medication in controlling post-operative pain during the perioperative and recovery time?

You can also contact us directly for assistance.