Three tools, three roles. The decision framework takes 5 seconds.
CKS: "How Do I Manage This?"
"How do I manage newly diagnosed hypertension?" "When should I refer suspected cancer?" "What safety-netting advice should I give for this presentation?" CKS provides NICE-backed management pathways — authoritative, evidence-graded, the standard your AKT answers should reflect. Use for management decisions.
SmPCs on eMC: “What Is Authorised for This Product?”
For a product-specific question — licensed indication, dose, contraindication, interaction, warning or excipient — open the relevant SmPC on eMC and make sure the brand, strength and formulation match. Use a validated interaction checker and applicable NICE, SPS, local or specialist guidance when the decision requires interpretation or management.
GPnotebook: "What Is This?"
"What are the features of polymyalgia rheumatica?" "What's the differential for raised ALP?" "What investigations should I consider for this presentation?" GPnotebook provides broader clinical reference — 30,000+ pages covering differentials, clinical features, and investigation pathways. Use for quick recall and differential generation.
Ask iatroX: "I Have a Complex Question"
"Patient with AF on apixaban with new CKD stage 3b — do I need to adjust dose, and what's the monitoring?" Ask iatroX synthesises across CKS, SmPCs via eMC, and peer-reviewed literature in one query — ideal when your question spans management and prescribing or involves multiple clinical contexts.
Speed Comparison
GPnotebook is fast for broad factual recall. CKS is structured around primary-care management pathways. SmPCs on eMC provide product-specific authorised information. Ask iatroX can synthesise cited guidance and medicines information for questions that cross more than one source, but the cited source should still be checked.
AKT Relevance
CKS is what AKT examiners expect — management answers should align with CKS pathways. Build the CKS habit during clinical practice and it directly improves your exam performance.
Common Mistake
Using GPnotebook for management decisions when CKS is more authoritative and current. GPnotebook is excellent for breadth but should not be the definitive source for treatment decisions.