Discuss the link between the PICOT question, the research articles, and the nursing practice problem you identified.

The PICOT (patient/population, intervention, comparison, outcome and time frame) question is an important tool for developing a research strategy which can be used to accurately assess the effectiveness of different nursing interventions. By creating a well-defined question in this format we can ensure that we are focusing on the most relevant aspects of our chosen practice problem while also making sure all applicable variables are taken into consideration.

In my case, I have identified a nursing practice problem related to the management of pain in elderly patients with chronic conditions. My PICOT question is: In elderly patients with chronic conditions, how does analgesic medication compared to physical therapy over 8 weeks affect levels of perceived pain? This allows me to focus on specific interventions while keeping track of time frames and outcomes.

When searching for research articles related to this topic, I am able to narrow down my search by using key words such as “elderly”, “pain”, “analgesic” etc., which will help me find more relevant sources associated with this particular problem. As such, the link between my PICOT question and research articles becomes clear since they both serve as useful tools for evaluating available evidence in order to identify potential solutions or best practices when it comes to managing pain among elderly patients with chronic conditions.