Asking focused questions

These are framed in  4-parts for clarity. The parts are:

  1. Problem (P)
  2. Intervention/Exposure (I/E)
  3. Comparison (C) and
  4. Outcome (O).
For short the question is termed PICO, or PECO.
(They can also be framed as a 3-part question eliminating one of the 4 parts):

Example:

Problem InterventionComparison Outcome 
 In patients with peridontal disease
 would Colgate Total
 when compared to other toothpastes
result in reduced disease progression? 

Problem InterventionComparison Outcome 
 In patients with caries
 would fluoride varnish
 when compared to other fluorides
result in reduced decay?

Two question types:

  1. Foreground

    Asks how do I manage a specific clinical situation.
    (e.g.: How can I prevent dental caries?)

  2. Background

    Asks general background information.
    (e.g.: What causes dental caries?)

References

  1. Sackett, D. L. et al Centre for Evidence Based Medicine. Focusing clinical questions. CEBM web site. Accessed 16/08/2006.
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