Evidence Based Practice: Using PICO to break down a question

Therapy question:

Are Cefaly headbands more effective than aspirin in reducing the pain associated with migraines?

The condition is migranes

The intervention is Cefaly headband

The comparison is aspirin

The outcome is reduction of symptoms

Diagnosis question:

Is D-dimer testing more accurate than an ultrasound in diagnosing deep vein thrombosis?

The condition is deep vein thrombosis

The intervention is D-dimer testing

The comparison is ultrasound

The outcome is diagnosis

Aetiology question:

Are babies who are bottle fed at a higher risk of tooth decay than babies who are breast fed?

The populaton is babies

The exposure is bottle feeding

The comparator is breast feeding

The outcome is tooth decay

Prognosis question:

In adults with low back pain, what is the association between individual recovery expectations and disability outcomes?

The populaton is adults with low back pain

The prognostic factor is recovery expectations

There is no comparison for this clinical question

The prognostic indicator is disability outcomes

Frequency question:

In elderly patients, does toothbrushing reduce the severity of bad breath?

The populaton is elderly patients

The intervention is tooth brushing

The comparison is no oral hygiene

The outcome is reduced bad breath severity