What is the first step of practicing evidence-based medicine (EBM)?

What is the first step of practicing evidence-based medicine (EBM)?

• A. Survey physicians
• B. Use the PICO approach to define the problem by asking questions
• C. Review pharmacokinetics
• D. Conduct a meta-analysis

Answer: (B)

Starting point of evidence-based medicine is formulating a clear, answerable clinical question using the PICO framework. PICO helps you specify who you’re treating (Patient/Problem), what intervention you’re considering, what you’re comparing it to (Comparator), and what outcome matters (Outcome). This focused question guides your literature search, ensures you look for relevant studies, and makes critical appraisal efficient. Without a well-defined question, searches can be vague and you may miss important evidence or waste time screening irrelevant results. The other options don’t reflect the initial step: surveying physicians gathers opinions rather than evidence; reviewing pharmacokinetics is a narrow pharmacology task; conducting a meta-analysis is an evidence synthesis done after identifying and appraising studies, not the starting point.

Starting point of evidence-based medicine is formulating a clear, answerable clinical question using the PICO framework. PICO helps you specify who you’re treating (Patient/Problem), what intervention you’re considering, what you’re comparing it to (Comparator), and what outcome matters (Outcome). This focused question guides your literature search, ensures you look for relevant studies, and makes critical appraisal efficient. Without a well-defined question, searches can be vague and you may miss important evidence or waste time screening irrelevant results. The other options don’t reflect the initial step: surveying physicians gathers opinions rather than evidence; reviewing pharmacokinetics is a narrow pharmacology task; conducting a meta-analysis is an evidence synthesis done after identifying and appraising studies, not the starting point.