To formulate questions in Evidence Based Practice, use the PICOT format.

PICOT stands for:

Population/ Patient Problem: Who is your patient? (Disease or Health status, age, race, sex)
Intervention: What do you plan to do for the patient? (Specific tests, therapies, medications)
Comparison: What is the alternative to your plan? (ie. No treatment, different type of treatment, etc.)
Outcome: What outcome do you seek? (Less symptoms, no symptoms, full health, etc.)
Time: What is the time frame? (This element is not always included.)

Your PICOT question will fall under one of these types:

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