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Evidence Based Medicine (EBM)

Background vs. Foreground Questions

"Background" questions

Background questions are asking for general information and have two essential components:

  • The question root (who, what, where, when, why, how, why), and a verb
  • The disease, condition, disorder, test, treatment, or other element of health care.

Examples 

  • What is the typical progression of osteoarthritis?
  • How does type 2 diabetes affect the vascular system?

"Foreground" questions

Foreground questions are asking for a specific answer to a clinical question.

There are different frameworks, but essentially they will include:

  • Patient population/and or problem
  • Intervention
  • Comparison
  • Outcome

These elements form a PICO question.

Examples

  • In patients with hypertension, does regular aerobic exercise reduce blood pressure compared to sedentary behavior?

  • For patients undergoing chemotherapy, does music therapy alleviate treatment-related nausea?