PICo framework is used for qualitative reviews that explore how people experience or perceive something. There is no intervention or comparator - the focus is on meaning, lived experience, or perspectives.
Example question: What are the experiences of nurses providing end-of-life care in hospital settings?
Criteria | Definitions | Inclusion example | Exclusion example |
Population | Group(s) of individuals, organizations, or entities that are the primary focus of the study | e.g. Registered nurses working in hospital inpatient settings | e.g. Nursing students or healthcare assistants without clinical registration |
Phenomenon of Interest | Experience, behavior, process, or issue being explored in the study | e.g. Lived experience of providing end-of-life care | e.g. Clinical outcomes for patients receiving end-of-life care |
Context | Setting, environment, or circumstances in which the phenomenon occurs | e.g. Acute hospital wards or specialist palliative care units | e.g. Community or home-based care settings |
Other | Any additional information that affects a study's eligibility for your review or is helpful to consider during screening | e.g. Studies using qualitative data collection methods | e.g. Studies focused on patient or family perspectives rather than nurses |