P is for Patient
Who is your patient?
A clinical question must identify a patient or patient group. Additionally a clinical question should include any information that is relevant to the treatment or diagnosis of the patient.
For example, you might include the patient’s:
- Sex, age or race
- Disease History
- Primary Complaint
Case:
You meet your new patient Tracey, a thirteen year old female. She is an avid bubblegum chewer. Between bubbles, and after she provides her dental history, she asks, “Is it true that chewing bubblegum with Xylitol helps prevent cavities?” Determined to give Tracey the correct answer you promise that you will do some research and get back to her.
Please think of a short statement identifying the patient in the case above. [You’ll refer back to your statement later in the tutorial]