Executive summary
The concept of "ChatGPT for doctors" has evolved from a popular search term into a competitive market of specialised clinical AI tools. For time-poor UK clinicians, the promise of these new platforms is immense: faster answers, reduced administrative burden, and better access to evidence. But which ones can be trusted? Recent studies suggest that Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)—a technique that grounds AI answers in a library of trusted documents—is the key to reducing "hallucinations" and improving factual accuracy.
This guide provides a practical comparison of the leading AI clinical search tools available to UK clinicians in 2025. We will look at iatroX, a UK-centric and free platform with an integrated learning system; Praktiki, a mobile-first tool that blends micro-CPD with UK guidance search; Medwise AI, an NHS-aligned search engine with local guideline capabilities; and OpenEvidence, a powerful, literature-grounded engine. We will also cover the non-negotiable governance framework, including the NHS DTAC, that must guide any safe procurement in the UK.
What clinicians actually need from “AI clinical search”
- Fast, cited answers: The goal is to reduce "multi-tab hunting." A tool must provide a concise, accurate answer with a direct, verifiable link to the primary source.
- UK-relevant provenance: The answers must be grounded in UK-specific sources like NICE, CKS, SIGN, and the BNF, or clearly state when they are not.
- Abstention over invention: A safe AI must be able to say "I don't know" or "I cannot find a specific guideline for this" rather than invent a plausible-sounding but incorrect answer.
- Governance-ready: The tool must meet UK standards for clinical safety (DCB0129/0160), data protection, and procurement (DTAC).
The contenders — product snapshots
iatroX (UK-centric “clinical AI + learning”)
- What it is: A citation-first clinical Q&A tool and a curated Knowledge Centre that routes queries to a gated corpus of NICE, CKS, SIGN, BNF, and peer-reviewed research. It is free for all users and includes an adaptive Quiz engine and a CPD logging tool with AI-assisted reflections.
- Regulatory posture: The iatroX website states it is a UKCA-marked, MHRA-registered tool for informational and educational use.
Praktiki (AI search + microlearning)
- What it is: An AI search tool built on "trusted UK guidance" that is integrated with a micro-CPD platform. It offers 5-minute modules, syncs with FourteenFish, and claims “no hallucinations.” The platform reports it has over 6,000 clinician users.
Medwise AI (NHS-aligned search)
- What it is: A clinical search engine with distinct "Research" and "Drug" modes (using UK SPCs/Tariffs), an NHS mail login option, and built-in CPD entries. The homepage claims use across over 1,000 NHS organisations. It has received Innovate UK grant funding and has partnered on DTAC compliance.
OpenEvidence (literature-grounded search; US HCP access)
- What it is: An evidence-based medical search platform that provides answers with inline citations. It is free for verified U.S. healthcare professionals and is HIPAA-compliant. It is growing rapidly and has announced new features like "Visits" and "DeepConsult."
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Dimension | iatroX | Praktiki | Medwise AI | OpenEvidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corpus / Provenance | UK guidelines (NICE, CKS, SIGN, BNF) via curated Knowledge Centre; RAG Q&A. | "Trusted UK guidance"; claims "no hallucinations." | UK guidance + Drug mode (SPCs/Tariffs) and Research mode. | Peer-reviewed medical literature; citation-first. |
| Abstention Claim | Yes, abstains when sources are weak (site positioning). | Explicit "no hallucinations" claim on site. | Positions as provenance-first; NHS login. | "Always sourced and cited." |
| Learning / CPD | Free adaptive quiz (spaced repetition); integrated CPD logging & export. | Micro-CPD modules; syncs with FourteenFish. | CPD entries visible in app. | Not a primary feature; literature workflows. |
| Access & Price | Free for all users. | Core learning free; premium/partnership model. | Enterprise/SaaS; app access for orgs. | Free, but only for verified U.S. HCPs. |
| Adoption Signals | UK-first positioning; UKCA/MHRA status; growing user base. | "6,000+ clinicians" (vendor-stated). | "1000+ NHS orgs" (vendor-stated); Innovate UK grant. | "Fastest-growing app for physicians" (US); large VC funding. |
| Governance Posture | UKCA/MHRA-registered. | Not publicly listed; links to FourteenFish. | Partnering on DTAC; UK marketplace listing. | HIPAA compliant (U.S. focus). |
Adoption & evidence: what’s credible today
- Medwise AI: Has a clear UK focus, backed by Innovate UK funding, a DTAC partnership, and an NHS marketplace listing.
- OpenEvidence: Its primary traction and "free for HCPs" offer are focused on the US market. While its evidence-synthesis engine is powerful, its relevance to UK-specific guidelines is not its core feature.
- iatroX: As a UK-based company, its stated UKCA/MHRA registration and its free-for-all-users model make it a highly accessible and compliant tool for UK clinicians to start using for guideline-related queries and learning.
- Praktiki: Its claims of "no hallucinations" and 6,000+ users are prominent. As with any tool, services should validate these claims, and its FourteenFish integration is a clear nod to the UK GP workflow.
Governance & procurement (UK): what to ask every vendor
- DTAC first: Do you have a complete and current DTAC (Digital Technology Assessment Criteria) pack? This is the baseline for NHS procurement.
- Clinical safety: Can you provide your DCB0129 (supplier) safety case and hazard log to inform our DCB0160 (adopter) assessment?
- Device status: What is your MHRA registration status and device classification?
- Data protection: Do you have a clear DPIA? Do you support NHS mail SSO? Where is our data processed and stored? (Note: HIPAA compliance is a US standard, not a substitute for UK GDPR).
Where each tool fits best (use-case positioning)
- For point-of-care UK guideline look-ups + integrated learning: iatroX is the strongest fit due to its free access, UK-guideline-gated corpus, and built-in adaptive quiz.
- For micro-CPD with integrated UK search: Praktiki is designed for this specific workflow, especially for primary care clinicians who already use FourteenFish.
- For searching local Trust policies alongside national guidance: Medwise AI is one of the few tools that explicitly offers this capability for its enterprise customers.
- For US-focused, deep-literature queries: OpenEvidence is a powerful and free (for verified US HCPs) tool for synthesising peer-reviewed research.
FAQs
- Is “ChatGPT” safe for clinical answers?
- A general-purpose tool like ChatGPT should not be used for clinical decisions as it can "hallucinate" and is not trained on a verified, up-to-date set of clinical guidelines. You should always use a "provenance-first" tool that is designed for healthcare and provides citations.
- Which AI clinical search tools are free in the UK?
- iatroX is completely free for all users, with a UK-centric focus. Praktiki has a free "core learning" tier. OpenEvidence is free, but its verification is targeted at US healthcare professionals.
- Do these tools really save time?
- Yes. Early studies and user reports suggest that AI-supported search can significantly reduce the time it takes to find a specific answer compared to traditional, manual searching across multiple websites.