Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Formulate a Clinical Question

Introduction

A practitioner talking to a patient

In a typical patient encounter, many possible questions may arise. Many of these questions will not need to be answered, or will not be worth answering. Some of them will not be answerable.

However some questions will be important and answerable.

To answer your question using a focused and efficient search, you need to:
  • Translate a knowledge gap into a well built clinical question (WBCQ)
  • See what type of question you have
  • Work out what type of study will best answer your question
  • This module shows you how to work through each of these steps so you have everything you need to start your search. Remember, this process will become quicker as you gain practice!