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Evidence Informed Practice: Clinical Questions - PICO

EIP and Clinical questions

"Evidence based medicine (EBM) involves the integration of the best scientific evidence available with physician experience and patient preferences. One of the first steps in EBM involves developing a question based on issues encountered with patients or a disease and finding evidence to answer the question."  (Burns, 2010, p.613)

PICO

EXAMPLE:

Scenario: 

A 7 year old child presents with low back pain.  The parent asks if chiropractic treatment will help heal her child quicker than just rest.

PICO 

P - Child with low back pain
I - Spinal manipulative therapy
C - Rest
O - Reduction in pain
Clinical Question:

In children with spinal pain of mechanical origin (P), is the use of spinal manipulative therapy (I) superior to rest (C) in reducing pain(O)?