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Clinical Laboratory Science

This page will help students form a solid research question once their topic is chosen.

PICOT: What is it?

P

I

C

O

T

Patient/Population/Problem

Intervention/Indicator

Compare/Control

Outcome

Time/Type of Study or Question

Who is your patient?

Identify a disease, health status, age, race, geographic region, sex, or a specific characteristic important to your question.

What do you plan to do for the patient?

Identify a specific test, therapy, medication or management strategy.

What is the alternative to your plan?

Examples may include: no treatment or a different type of treatment.

What outcome do you seek?

Identify possible outcomes/results of the intervention such as less symptoms, no symptoms, or better quality of life.

What is the time frame? What study types will most likely have the information you seek?  

This element is optional and not always included.

Intervention

This question addresses the treatment of an illness or disability.

In _________ (P), how does _________ (I) compared to _________(C) affect _______(O) within _______ (T)?


In _______(P), what is the effect of _______(I) on ______(O) compared with _______(C) within ________ (T)?

 

Etiology

This questions address the causes or origin of disease, the factors that produce or predispose an individual towards a certain disease or disorder.

Are ____ (P) who have _______ (I) at ___ (Increased/decreased) risk for/of_______ (O) compared with ______ (P) with/without ______ (C) over _____ (T)?

 

Are ______(P) who have ______(I) compared with those without _______(C) at ________ risk for/of _______ (O) over ________(T)?

 

Prognosis/Predictions

This question addresses the prediction of the course of a disease.

Does __________ (I) influence ________ (O) in patients who have _______ (P) over ______ (T)?


In _______ (P), how does ________ (I) compared to ________ (C) influence _________ (O) over _________ (T)?

 

Diagnosis

This question addresses the act or process of identifying or determining the nature and cause of a disease or injury through evaluation.

Are (is) _________ (I) more accurate in diagnosing ________ (P) compared with ______ (C) for _______ (O)?


In ________ (P) are/is ________(I) compared with ________(C) more accurate in diagnosing ________(O)?

 

Prevention

This question addresses how to reduce the chance of disease by identifying and modifying risk factors and how to diagnose disease early by screening.

For ________ (P) does the use of ______ (I) reduce the future risk of ________ (O) compared with _________ (C)?

 

Meaning

This question address how one experience a phenomenon or event.

How do ________ (P) diagnosed with _______ (I) perceive ______ (O) during _____ (T)?