Medicine is constantly developing as a sphere, introducing new technologies and methods of cognition of problems and phenomena. One of the most important tools for evidence-based research is the development of a PICOT question by experts. This aspect is intended to give the most accurate picture of a particular health issue, including all relevant information. It is necessary to analyze in more detail how the PICOT question is composed and what criteria it includes.
It is worth highlighting a topical issue for society in order to begin the process of compiling a PICOT question. Recently, parents of sick children, as well as treating doctors, are increasingly prescribing antibiotics as the most effective method of dealing with complex diseases (Boswell & Cannon, 2018). However, antibiotics, in addition to their advantages, also have disadvantages, primarily expressed in a weakening of immunity and a negative effect on certain organs (Boswell & Cannon, 2018). This area will be analyzed to form a PICOT question. However, the problem should be narrowed down to more specific criteria in order to properly design the research vector.
The relevance of this problem is due to the complexity of the interpretation of antibiotics as a method of achieving recovery. On the one hand, these drugs are the most effective and able to quickly restore the patient. On the other hand, due to their characteristics, they reduce the immune system and adversely affect the functioning of the liver (Richardson-Tench et al., 2018). The situation is aggravated by cases when the patient is a child whose body is weaker than that of an adult (Richardson-Tench et al., 2018). Despite the fact that the nurse does not prescribe treatment and medicines, this problem is vital for the specialist. The fact is that it is the nurse’s task to clearly and clearly convey to parents information about the negative effects of antibiotics.
In recent years, the use of antibiotics has increased markedly in all countries. Now 40% of adults and 70% of children in the world use antibiotics at least once a year (Richardson-Tench et al., 2018, p. 56). If such drugs are used correctly, they destroy life-threatening human infections. However, in 10% of cases, antibiotics lead to negative side effects (Richardson-Tench et al., 2018, p. 72). Drugs, especially when used in large quantities, affect glucose metabolism, the immune system, digestion, and human behavior. Over the past ten years, several effects of antibiotic use have been discovered (Richardson-Tench et al., 2018). The effect of these drugs on the intestinal microflora and on the human gastrointestinal system has not yet been fully studied.
However, the problem is compounded by uncertainty about the treatment of otitis media in children. The fact is that this disease is complex, which means that its treatment has not been fully identified. Therefore, the challenge for public health and nurses is to determine the effectiveness of the fight against otitis media without the use of antibiotics. In order for the study of this issue to be the most effective and substantive, it is necessary to formulate a specific PICOT question. It is also worth emphasizing that this evidence-based medicine tool should be compiled as correctly as possible. It contains 5 components:
- P (patient) – The patient, problem, and population to be addressed in this study. This is necessary in order to determine the risk group and potentially identify the root causes of the occurrence of a clinical case (Illigens & Fregni, 2018).
- I (intervention) – Establishment of a specific intervention or influence in a specific clinical case (Illigens & Fregni, 2018). It includes management strategy, diagnostic test, drug effect size, drug information.
- C (comparison) – This criterion analyzes alternative options for conducting procedures. In addition, there is a comparison of existing processes and mechanisms with potentially possible ones (Illigens & Fregni, 2018).
- O (outcome) – Sets what outcome of the whole process is expected by both the patient and the specialist. Characteristic of the effects in which the parties to the treatment process are interested, for example, recovery or a reduction in the risk of major and minor complications (Illigens & Fregni, 2018).
- T (time) – Determines the time intervals of either the disease or the action of the drug (Illigens & Fregni, 2018). In addition, it is necessary to establish consistent boundaries of the study.
In order to most clearly illustrate the formulation of the PICOT question, it is necessary to consider the intended clinical situation. For example, the patient is a 5-year-old girl diagnosed with otitis media. Her mother says that the child’s ears used to hurt, but the disease went away on its own, and sometimes doctors prescribed antibiotics. In this case, the following data appears in the question formulation matrix:
- P Patient (problem, population) – child with otitis media.
- I Intervention – antibiotics.
- C Comparison – the absence of antibiotic therapy.
- O Outcome – symptom relief.
- T Time – six months.
The totality of the above data is complete, covering all the main criteria. Based on this, the specialist can draw up a final question for further study of the problem. Thus, the PICOT question – In a child with otitis media (P), does the administration of antibiotics (I), compared with the absence of antibiotic therapy (C), lead to a decrease in the frequency of complications of the disease (O) within six months (T)? This question will help specialists assess the risks relevant to this problem, make a forecast and explore solutions. Thus, due to the correct formulation and implementation of each criterion in this issue, the research will be effective. This is explained by the fact that specialists will study a specific risk group (children), a drug (antibiotics) and conduct a comparative analysis (with no antibiotic therapy).
References
Boswell, C. & Cannon, S. (Eds.). (2018). Introduction to nursing research. Incorporating evidence-based practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Illigens, B. M. W. & Fregni, F. (Eds.). (2018). Critical thinking in clinical research. Applied theory and practice using case studies. Oxford University Press.
Richardson-Tench, M., Nicholson, P., Taylor, B. J., Kermode, S., & Roberts, K. (2018). Research in nursing, midwifery and allied health: Evidence for best practice. Cengage Learning Australia.