To search for evidence based information, you first need to develop a well formed clinical question. It is recommended that you use the PICO concept to help you do this.
Pico stands for:
Patient, Population or Problem
What are the characteristics of the patient or population?
What is the condition or disease you are interested in?
Intervention or exposure
What do you want to do with this patient (e.g. treat, diagnose, observe)?
Comparison
What is the alternative to the intervention (e.g. placebo, different drug, surgery)?
Outcome
What are the relevant outcomes (e.g. morbidity, death, complications)?
See an example in the second tab above.
Here is an example of a clinical question that outlines the PICO components.
How would you begin searching for this topic? See the completed worksheet below.
SPIDER is an alternative system to PICO for defining a research question. For more information see
S= Sample
P,I = Phenomenon of Interest
D = Design
E = Evaluation
R = Research Type
EXAMPLE from Cooke et al above:
How to Read a Paper: the basics of evidence-based medicine and healthcare by 
Occupational Therapy Evidence in Practice for Mental Health by 
The Praeger Handbook of Chiropractic Health Care: Evidence-Based Practices by 
Leading and Managing Occupational Therapy Services: An Evidence Based Approach by 
Introduction to communication disorders : a lifespan evidence-based perspective by 
