The study of the PICOT question involves the search and systematization of sources to find the most relevant evidence. The Evaluation Table includes the date of creation, the conceptual framework, the design and method of the study, the sample and setting, the main variables studied, the way the data were measured and analyzed, and the assessment of the value of findings that are valuable for practice (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). All of these variables are important in assessing the relevance of a study and deciding whether articles should be included in the evidence base.
Before defining the criteria by which the selection of literature will be made, it is necessary to understand the main points implied by the PICOT question. The basis for answering the question is a study of the population, which in this question is black patients with type 2 diabetes. The proposed intervention will include the use of electronic health record alerts. An assessment of the outcome of the success of the intervention should be made in comparison to no intervention. The intended outcome will need to be quantified as pre- and post-intervention HbA1c levels. A period of time: a year after the intervention is needed to establish a clear time frame necessary for the intervention to be successful.
Answering the PICOT question requires an understanding of the literature selection criteria to strengthen the evidence base. All of these criteria are important for evaluation and analysis, but for a particular PICOT, there are more and less relevant ones. The first criterion measured is the year of publication. The study must be recent in order to provide up-to-date medical evidence. Research must not be older than 5 years to remain relevant (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). In this PICOT, this is an important criterion since electronic health records are a relatively new phenomenon.
After evaluating the year the paper was written, it is necessary to determine the conceptual framework and the design or method of the study. This PICOT question should be based on this criterion, as it is preferable to select quantitative studies that will provide the numerical evidence needed to support an assessment of the effectiveness of the intervention. The sample must be large enough for the study to be relevant for PICOT. In this case, patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be included in the sample.
One of the important criteria will be the measured variables in the study. The identification of key study variables is necessary to evaluate the evidence for clinical decision-making (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). In order for a study to help answer the PICOT question, it is necessary to use studies in which the variable is HbA1c levels. The measurement and method of data analysis is essential to ensure an understanding of the research process and the validity of the findings (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). The results of the study are also important in helping to respond to PICOT, as they will provide evidence of the success or failure of such interventions. Assessing the value for practical application in general will help understand how the study can be used as an evidence base.
For the PICOT question on diabetes, the choice of sources should be based on criteria such as year of publication, sample, measured variables, outcomes, and value to practice. The year of publication will help select the most relevant research. The sample must match the PICOT question population. Measured variables should be related to the measurement of HbA1c. The results will support the answer to the question of the success of the study, and the assessment of value for practice will allow the selection of the most complete and evidence-based studies.
Reference
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-based practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.