Now that you know more about the quality of evidence and the different study types or publications, it's time to identify which sources to search based on your question and information need.
Below are examples featuring different kinds of clinical questions and recommendations for evidence sources that best fit the question type, along with suggestions on where to start searching.
Questions about: Treatments or interventions to achieve a particular outcome.
Recommended publication types: Meta-analysis, systematic review, randomized control trials
Example question:
How effective is sheepskin at reducing the risk of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injuries?
PICO
P: Patients with spinal cord injuries
I: Sheepskin
C: ---
O: Reduce the risk of pressure ulcers
Where you could start your search:
Questions about: The accuracy of diagnostic assessments.
Recommended publication types: Meta-analysis, systematic review, cross-sectional studies with random or consecutive sample
Example question:
For pregnant women over 35 years of age, is the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) done at 11 weeks as effective as an amniocentesis done at 18 weeks at diagnosing Down syndrome?
PICO
P: Pregnant women
I: Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT)
C: Amniocentesis
O: Diagnosis Down syndrome
Where you could start your search:
Questions about: Progression or likelihood of an outcome for a population with certain characteristics
Recommended publication types: Meta-analysis, systematic review, cohort or survival studies
Example question:
In women with triple-negative breast cancer in remission, what is the likelihood of recurrence within 5 years?
PICO: Prognosis questions are often framed as P and O components only
P: Women with TNBC in remission
I: ---
C: ---
O: Recurrence in 5 years
Where you could start your search:
Questions about: Causes of disease or condition; impact, usually negative, from an intervention or some exposure
Recommended publication types: Meta-analysis, systematic review, randomized control trials, cohort studies, case-control studies
Example question:
For otherwise healthy adults, at what point does alcohol consumption switch from reducing to increasing the risk of a stroke?
PICO
P: Adults
I: Alcohol consumption reduces risk
C: Alcohol consumption increases risk
O: Stroke
Where you could start your search:
Questions about: Fact or situation that is observed with an unknown cause; may relate to any aspect of a service or clinical practice; usually involve a population and outcome. We often include health system and qualitative questions in the phenomena category.
Recommended publication types: Qualitative studies
Example question:
For patients with time-sensitive medications, what reminder prompts are most effective?
PICO
P: Patients with time-sensitive medications
I: ---
C: ---
O: Reminders/prompts to take medication
Where you could start your search:
Questions about: Best practices in diagnosing, managing, and treating diseases and clinical conditions to optimize patient care.
Recommended publication types: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), position statements, published protocols (from reputable health-care organizations and recognized professional bodies)
Example question:
What are the standards for managing dysphagia in adults following a stroke?
PICO
P: Adults suffering dysphagia after stroke
I: ---
C: ---
O: Make effective evidence-based care decisions
Where you could start your search:
