The Dreaded PICO Question--Feedback, Please!

[nlk96, BSN]

I am having a such a hard time with this. I can't seem to come up with a decent PICO question, and I would really appreciate some constructive criticism and feedback! Thank you in advance for anything you can offer. I worked with a transgendered patient a few months ago, I really started thinking about many things. Here's what I have:

For a patient in a sexual minority, does the availability of culturally sensitive care increase their physical, psychosocial and material well being?

P--population--sexual minorities

I--intervention or variable of interest--culturally sensitive care

C--heterosexual population (have seen on several websites that the "C" does not have to be stated explicitly in the question--is that true?)

O--outcome--physical, psychosocial, and material well being

Do I need to narrow this down further?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Your 'C' is not comparing the two patient groups ('sexual minority' and 'heterosexual') it is comparing two interventions (culturally sensitive care vs. 'standard of care')

And I think you should really not dance around and say 'sexual minority'- just say 'transgendered men' or whatever. Your outcome is also too broad. How in the world would you determine their 'material well-being'? W-2 forms?

A PICO(T) question should be very narrowly defined. Here's an example of one I am currently doing a project on for work:

(P)In newborns undergoing open heart surgery in which open sternum is anticipated post-operatively

(I)how does anti-bacterial bathing immediately pre-operative versus

©standard of care (no pre-operative antibacterial bath)

(O)impact post-operative infection rates at

(T)one month post-op?

I think you have an interesting topic, it just needs some refinement. Good luck with your project!!

[nlk96, BSN]

Thank you so much for your feedback! I will work on it some more, taking your suggestions.