The PICO Model for Effective Learning of Holistic and Comprehensive Care in an Atypical Case of Metastatic Melanoma

Zhen Zhang, Lanyi Zhong, Guangli Zhu, Jiaying Li, Chenxiang Luo, Shaoting Feng , Suqing Yang, Ming Kuang, Haipeng Xiao and Dan Xu

Department of Medical Education, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China Department General Practice, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, Australia

^*Correspondance to: Dan Xu and Haipeng Xiao 

 PDF  Full Text Case Report | Open Access

Abstract:

Aim and background: PICO is evidence-based research model to create a process for framing a research question, locating, assessing, evaluating, and repeating the question as needed. “PICO” are “P” for “Patient/Problem/Presentation/Population”, “I” for “Intervention/Investigation/Inquiry”, “C” for “Comparison/Concern/Control, O for “Outcome/Outlook”. This model has recently been used frequently in evidence-based medical education in framing the initial question. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the effective use of the innovative PICO model in the senior medical students’ clinical placement learning through reflection of clinical cases on an elective exchange program. The literature on the raised case will be reviewed and discussed to maximize the students’ learning with the innovative PICO model. Innovation and method: The five equal first authors of this article are interns of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, whom visited Curtin Medical School and its associated hospitals and general practice clinics for four-week’ supervised clinical placements as medical observers. They have been using the PICO model to learn their daily cases for their daily debrief and summary. Their supervisor was the corresponding author and has identified the opportunity to learn about holistic and comprehensive care by using the PICO model via management with an atypical case of metastatic malignant melanoma. Result: A general practice case of metastatic malignant melanoma to the brain was selected among the many cases debriefed daily during the four-week’ supervised clinical placements. The PICO model was used to raise the different treatment modalities as questions for investigating the relevant literature, comparing the individual treatment or combined modalities and monitoring the outcomes of the treatment modalities. Conclusion: The innovative PICO model is an excellent medical educational tool for senior medical students’ learning in clinical placement. The literature on the holistic and comprehensive treatment modalities of metastatic malignant melanoma was reviewed by the students to indicate the future research direction in melanoma management, ultimately enhancing the clinical management skills to improve survival rate of metastatic melanoma in both China and Australia.

Keywords:

Cite the Article:

Zhang Z, Zhong L, Zhu G, Li J, Luo C, Feng S, et al. The PICO Model for Effective Learning of Holistic and Comprehensive Care in an Atypical Case of Metastatic Melanoma. Clin Case Rep Int. 2020; 4: 1131.