1. Guidance for writing your problem statements or INTRODUCTION

2. Problem Statement
“Sets the stage” for your PICOT question; Why is this PICOT question important?
Helps the reader understand the issue that will be examined in your EBP-related question
Provides factual information related to the focus of your PICOT rather than simply offering anecdotal clinical information

3. Example of a problem statement:
If my question focused on whether depression and smoking had an impact on bone accrual in adolescent girls Then my problem statement would include key points (using references) related to prevalence, relevance, and impact regarding:
Why we are concerned about the outcome of bone accrual--- (low bone mass makes one more likely to be osteoporotic; stats on how prevalent osteoporosis/fracture is and its costs, and 50% of mass is accrued in adolescence)
Why depression may matter (rates increase in puberty---especially in girls; adults women with depression more likely to be osteoporotic)

4. Other examples:
Think about what might be included in a statement if you were focusing on:
comparing treatments (standard care vs a new drug) for lupus in reproductive aged women or
deciding if Educational Strategy 1 was more effective than Educational Strategy 2 for teaching undergraduate nursing students X procedure.
Write your answers down before you look at the next slide!

5. For comparing treatments (standard care vs a new drug) for lupus in reproductive aged women I would include statements about:
How common lupus is in this age group of women
What the ramifications of the disease (including morbidity/mortality, public health costs)
What the issues are with standard care treatment (efficacy, costs, side effects etc.)
Why the new drug may be more effective