VM611 - Foundations of Veterinary Medicine

PICO Search Strategy

Articles About Constructing a Search:

Robertson, S. R. (2007). Refining the clinical question: the first step in evidence-based veterinary medicine. Veterinary Clinics Of North America, Small Animal Practice37(3), 419-431. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2007.01.002

Components of an answerable clinical question*

Element

Tips

Specific example

Patient (population or problem)

Starting with your patient, ask "How would I describe a group of patients similar to mine?" Balance precision with brevity

"In canine patients older than 10 years of age with chronic renal failure attributable to glomerular nephritis . . ."

Intervention

Ask "Which main intervention am I considering?" Be specific

"...would the addition of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors to standard chronic renal therapy . . ."

Comparison of interventions

Ask "What is the main alternative to compare with the intervention?" Again, be specific

" . . .when compared with standard therapy alone . . "

Outcome

Ask "What can I hope to accomplish?" or "What could this exposure really affect?" Again, be specific

" . . . lead to increased survival time and quality of life"

* From: Robertson, S. R. (2007). Refining the clinical question: the first step in evidence-based veterinary medicine. Veterinary Clinics Of North America, Small Animal Practice37(3), 419-431. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2007.01.002

Librarian

Profile Photo
Michelle Wilde
Contact:
Morgan Library
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1019
(970) 491-1860
Subjects: Zoology

24/7 Library Help

24/7 Library Help

Connect with library staff via chat, email, phone or text.

URL: https://libguides.colostate.edu/vm611 | Print Page