PICOT is a clinical search strategy that assists in the decision-making process in evidence-based practice (EBP). It is a specific, foreground question composed of elements that form an acronym. The P stands for patient/population/problem, the I stands for intervention or exposure, the C stands for comparison (standard of care, another intervention, or control/placebo group), and the O stands for outcome (which should be something measurable if possible). Though optional, T for time can also be included as an element of your question if your topic or research allows.
