PICO reseach question

[scheatwood1]

I am working on my research topic for my class and this is what I've come up with so far:

Patient Problem or Population

Intervention or Exposure

Comparison or Control

Outcome Measure

In the nursing rehabilitation setting

Does specialized nursing programs

Versus higher educated nurses

Provide adequate patient outcomes

My facility does "programs" for orthopedic, respiratory, cardiac, and diabetes patients, but I don't feel like they are a one-size fits all type program and we could potentially continue to see RTAs.

I know I'll be able to find plenty of articles that say higher education provides a better patient outcome. I will be following the QI meetings at work to F/you on RTAs and the specialized program.

[llg, PhD, RN]

You didn't really ask for input - so I am not really sure you want it. But ..

I think that is a good first step. Now you need to develop it further by making it much more specific and defining/operationalizing your terms. For example:

1. Exactly what do you mean by "better outcomes"? Quicker discharge? Fewer infections? Higher patient satisfaction? etc.

2. What exactly do you mean by "specialized programs"? Are there specific on-the-job training programs that you are talking about?

3. What do you mean by "higher educated nurses"? Do you mean a higher percentage of nurses with BSN's? Or do you mean more RN's vs. LPN's? etc.

Good luck.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

llg said:

You didn't really ask for input - so I am not really sure you want it. But ..

I think that is a good first step. Now you need to develop it further by making it much more specific and defining/operationalizing your terms. For example:

1. Exactly what do you mean by "better outcomes"? Quicker discharge? Fewer infections? Higher patient satisfaction? etc.

2. What exactly do you mean by "specialized programs"? Are there specific on-the-job training programs that you are talking about?

3. What do you mean by "higher educated nurses"? Do you mean a higher percentage of nurses with BSN's? Or do you mean more RN's vs. LPN's? etc.

Good luck.

Agree- you need to get much more granular on this- VERY specific questions get answers. Vague ones get guesses.