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 right hand box.
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 here.
SPIDER is an alternative system for defining a research question to PICO. For more information see
S= Sample
P,I =Phenomen of Interest
D= Design
E= Evaluation
R=Research Type
EXAMPLE from Cooke et al above:
Embedding Evidence-Based Practice in Speech and Language Therapy
by 
Practical Tips in Finding the Evidence: An Allied Health Primer
by 
A Beginner's Guide to Evidence-Based Practice in Health and Social Care
by 
Evidence-Based Practice Across the Health Professions
by 
Communication Sciences and Disorders: An Evidence-Based Approach
by 
Research Methods: A Framework for Evidence-Based Clinical Practice
by 
A Podiatrist's Guide to Using Research
by 
