Posing clinical questions: framing the question for scientific inquiry

Much of nursing practice is (and always has been) based on information generated through inquiry. Finding the best answers quickly and effectively for the questions that arise in the clinical setting facilitates care, increases nursing efficiency, and improves patient outcome and satisfaction. Posing clinical questions also can help nurses identify and fill in gaps in knowledge, keep up with advances in clinical practice, and strengthen interactions with their peers, team members, and patients and their families. Formulating clinical questions that lead to sound, evidence-based answers to resolve clinical problems or direct patient-care decisions takes time and practice. The information in this article will assist nurses to develop the skill of framing clinical questions efficiently and effectively.