What constitutes an evidence-based practice (EBP) question, and how is a PICO format used to frame it?

• A. EBP questions are opinion-based; PICO stands for Problem, Intervention, Cost, Outcome
• B. An EBP question guides inquiry; PICO stands for Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome; helps search for best evidence.
• C. EBP is only about clinical trials; PICO uses People, Issue, Cost, Outcome
• D. EBP questions do not use a framework

Answer: (B)

Evidence-based practice questions are crafted to guide a focused search for the best available evidence, and the PICO format provides a clear way to structure that question. PICO stands for Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome. By specifying who you’re asking about, what you want to do, what you’re comparing it to, and which result matters, you create a precise, searchable question that directs your literature search and helps you appraise relevance and quality.

This approach makes it easier to locate pertinent research and determine how applicable it is to a specific patient or setting. Statements that label EBP as opinion-based, or that change PICO to include Cost or to use terms like People or Issue, don’t align with how EBP questions are formulated or how evidence is searched and appraised. Likewise, saying there is no framework ignores the standard practice of using PICO or adapted frameworks to frame evidence inquiries.