The PICO model was created by Scott Richardson and his colleagues in 1995.
PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) is a framework used in evidence-based practice to formulate and answer clinical or research questions. By breaking down a complex question into smaller, more manageable components, PICO helps researchers and clinicians focus their searches for relevant and high-quality evidence.
Here's a brief overview of the PICO components:
- Population/Patient/Problem: Describe the specific group of patients or the clinical problem you are addressing.
- Intervention: Define the specific intervention, treatment, or exposure being considered.
- Comparison: Identify an alternative intervention or a control group to compare against. This may be a placebo, standard treatment, or no intervention at all.
- Outcome: Specify the outcome(s) you are interested in measuring or achieving.
The development of the PICO framework by Scott Richardson and his team significantly improved the process of formulating research questions and conducting evidence-based searches, leading to more effective and targeted clinical decision-making. Since its inception, PICO has been widely adopted and adapted across various healthcare disciplines and research areas.
