1. Construct a "searchable question" from a clinical scenario.
2. Develop and implement a search of the literature.
3. Evaluate / critically appraise the literature for validity and applicability.
4. Apply the evidence to your clinical practice.
5. Evaluate your performance

PICO is a tool used to assist in the construction of a "searchable question" from the clinical scenario.

Further information on PICO:

Develop a plan for searching the literature. If you are not sure where to start use the "Hierarchy or pre-processed evidence" that illustrates the hierarchy of literature. Begin at the top and work your way down.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Image courtesy of Morgan Sproul, Dalhousie College of Pharmacy.

Examples:

Systems:
An overview of clinical decision support systems: benefits, risks, and strategies for success

Summaries:
Evidence-Based Guidelines
Clinical Practice Guidelines and Protocols in BC
CNA Standards & Best Practices
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nurses in Primary Care (First Nations & Inuit Health)
CMA Infobase
TRIP Database
RNAO Best Practice Guidelines 
JBI EBP Database

PHSA Emergency Care BC - Clinical Resources

Synopses of Syntheses:
Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) (Cochrane Reviews)
NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination Databases includes NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED) and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Database Evidence-Based Abstract Journals 

Syntheses (Systematic Reviews):
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Joanna Briggs Institute Database of Systematic Reviews
TRIP Database

Synopses of Single Studies:
Evidence-Based Abstract Journals:
Evidence-Based Nursing
ACP Journal Club (via Annals of Internal Medicine)
Evidence-Based Obstetrics & Gynecology
Evidence-Based Oncology

Single Studies:
CINAHL
Search tips:
"Refine Search":
- Select "Evidence-Based Practice".
- Select relevant publication types, such as: Systematic Reviews, Practice Guidelines, etc.
- Think about the type of measurement used: questionnaire/survey, interview, etc. Look for these in publication types or
incorporate subject headings.

Medline (OVID)
Search tips:
Clinical Queries:
- Select "More Limits". Apply one of the 9 categories (therapy, diagnosis, prognosis, qualitative studies, and so on) to
limit to clinical sound evidence.

Medline (Ebsco)
Search tips:
"Refine Search":
- Select "Evidence-Based Reviews".
- Select relevant publication types, such as: Clinical Trials, Practice Guidelines, etc.
- Think about the type of measurement used: questionnaire/survey, interview, etc. Incorporate appropriate
subject headings accordingly.