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BMJ Best Practice (NHS): OpenAthens Setup + App Login (Zero Guesswork)

Step-by-step access for BMJ Best Practice via NHS OpenAthens, including personal profile creation and mobile app setup that doesn’t break later.

Review date
Jan 2026
Reading time
8 min read
Author
Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MSt MRCGP
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This page targets the exact high-intent problem clinicians have: you ‘should have access’, but login loops, institutional selection is confusing, and app access fails because a personal profile was never created. This is the clean route.

First-time access (NHS England route)

1

Step 1 — Confirm you have an NHS OpenAthens account

If you don’t have one, register through your local library/organisation route. (The key is: you need working OpenAthens credentials before you start.)
2

Step 2 — Go to BMJ Best Practice and choose institutional access

On the BMJ Best Practice login page, select “Access through your institution” (wording varies slightly by region).
3

Step 3 — Select the correct institution entry

Search and select “NHS in England” (this is the common failure point if you pick the wrong institution or the wrong region).
4

Step 4 — Log in with OpenAthens

Use your NHS OpenAthens username/password. If you have trouble, try a password reset via your OpenAthens route.
5

Step 5 — Create a BMJ Best Practice personal profile

Once inside via OpenAthens, create a personal account/profile. This matters for continuity (and often for app use and saved content).
6

Step 6 — Bookmark the correct login path

Use the BMJ Group NHS access page as your ‘source of truth’ pathway rather than relying on old bookmarks.

Why the personal profile matters

Many users can access on-network via OpenAthens, but lose app access or saved content because they never created a BMJ Best Practice personal account after the first institutional login.

Mobile app setup (so it works reliably)

1

Step 1 — Download the official app

Install the BMJ Best Practice app on iOS/Android.
2

Step 2 — Use the personal profile login

Log in using the personal BMJ Best Practice profile you created (not raw OpenAthens) unless your institution specifies otherwise.
3

Step 3 — If prompted, re-auth through OpenAthens

Some flows require you to confirm access via your institution. Use “NHS in England” again.
4

Step 4 — Test outside the workplace network

Verify that access works off-site (home/4G). This catches broken setups early.
5

Step 5 — Save one item and check it syncs

A quick sanity check that your profile is functioning properly across devices.
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References

BMJ Group: NHS England access page (Best Practice + Journals)
BMJ Best Practice: Access through your institution
BMJ: OpenAthens user journey (PDF FAQ)
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  • If you don’t have one, register through your local library/organisation route. (The key is: you need working OpenAthens credentials before you start.)

    Return to this section

  • On the BMJ Best Practice login page, select “Access through your institution” (wording varies slightly by region).

    Return to this section

  • Search and select “NHS in England” (this is the common failure point if you pick the wrong institution or the wrong region).

    Return to this section

  • Use your NHS OpenAthens username/password. If you have trouble, try a password reset via your OpenAthens route.

    Return to this section

  • Once inside via OpenAthens, create a personal account/profile. This matters for continuity (and often for app use and saved content).

    Return to this section

  • Use the BMJ Group NHS access page as your ‘source of truth’ pathway rather than relying on old bookmarks.

    Return to this section

  • Install the BMJ Best Practice app on iOS/Android.

    Return to this section

  • Log in using the personal BMJ Best Practice profile you created (not raw OpenAthens) unless your institution specifies otherwise.

    Return to this section

  • Some flows require you to confirm access via your institution. Use “NHS in England” again.

    Return to this section

  • Verify that access works off-site (home/4G). This catches broken setups early.

    Return to this section

  • A quick sanity check that your profile is functioning properly across devices.

    Return to this section

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