BMJ Best Practice vs iatroX (2025): topic-based pathways vs Q&A-first answers
At a Glance
Who is it for?
iatroX:UK clinicians who want fast, interrogatable answers grounded in UK guidance (NICE/CKS/BNF), plus simulation-style reasoning and exam prep.
BMJ Best Practice:Clinicians and trainees who prefer comprehensive topic monographs with step-by-step diagnostic and management structure, plus curated calculators/patient leaflets.
Why choose iatroX?
- **Free for individuals** (lower barrier to adoption for day-to-day use).
- **Answer-first workflow**: ask a question in natural language and get a guideline-grounded response (RAG on UK sources).
- **UK-specific grounding**: designed around UK clinical norms and pathways (NICE/CKS/BNF).
- **Multi-mode**: Ask (Q&A), Brainstorm (simulation-style reasoning), and Quiz (exam prep) in one product.
Why choose BMJ Best Practice?
- **Gold-standard topic structure**: strong for end-to-end condition overviews and stepwise management pathways.
- **Broad clinical depth**: curated, editorialised content designed for point-of-care decision support.
- **Built-in extras** such as medical calculators and patient leaflets, plus offline app access and CPD tracking features (subscription-dependent).
- **Predictable navigation**: consistent “topic page” layout can be easier than conversational tools for some users.
Feature Comparison
| Capability | iatroX | BMJ Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for individuals. | Paid subscription for individual access (pricing tiers vary; may also be available via institutional access in some organisations).Example UK list pricing: student and clinician tiers are published on BMJ’s pricing pages. |
| Primary_workflow | Q&A-first: ask a clinical question and iterate quickly. | Topic-first: select a condition/topic and follow structured sections and pathways. |
| Strength_in_clinical_flow | Fast retrieval and synthesis of UK-guideline steps; best when you already know the question you need answered. | Excellent for full condition walk-throughs (diagnosis → investigations → treatment → follow-up). |
| U K_guideline_specificity | Designed to be grounded in UK sources (NICE/CKS/BNF). | Internationally used; UK relevance varies by topic and update cycles. |
| Offline_and_extras | Web-first AI assistant; emphasis on conversational guidance rather than bundled leaflets/calculators. | Offline app availability plus additional assets such as calculators and patient leaflets (subscription dependent). |
| Best_for_exam_prep | Useful for guideline reasoning + targeted quiz practice (e.g., AKT-style knowledge checks). | Helpful as a broad clinical reference; not a dedicated high-volume question-bank experience. |
In-Depth Analysis
Overview
Both BMJ Best Practice and iatroX aim to support safer, faster clinical decisions — but they feel very different in practice:
- BMJ Best Practice is topic/page and pathway focused: you typically start with a condition and work through structured sections.
- iatroX is answer/Q&A focused: you typically start with a question and iterate conversationally, grounded in UK guidance (NICE/CKS/BNF).
Neither is “better” in all situations — they’re optimised for different workflows.
Quick take
- Choose BMJ Best Practice if you want a comprehensive condition monograph with a familiar clinical-reference layout.
- Choose iatroX if you want fast, interrogatable, UK-guideline-grounded answers (and the ability to explore scenarios via Brainstorm).
The “flowchart vs Q&A” difference (why it matters)
BMJ Best Practice (process/pathway oriented)
You usually:
- pick a topic,
- review structured sections (diagnosis, management, follow-up),
- apply the recommended pathway.
This can be excellent for breadth, and for learning a topic end-to-end.
iatroX (answer/Q&A oriented)
You usually:
- ask the most relevant question in the moment,
- get a UK-guideline-grounded answer,
- ask the next question to clarify and narrow action.
This is often faster at the point of care — particularly for “what do I do next?” questions.
Pricing and access
- iatroX: Free for individuals.
- BMJ Best Practice: Paid subscription for personal access (with published UK pricing tiers), and may also be available via institutional licensing in some organisations.
Always verify your local institutional access arrangements if you expect “free” access through work.
When to use each
-
Use BMJ Best Practice when:
- you want a full condition overview in a predictable topic layout
- you’re teaching / revising a topic systematically
- you value bundled assets (e.g., calculators, patient leaflets) within the same environment (subscription-dependent)
-
Use iatroX when:
- you need a fast answer grounded in UK guidance (NICE/CKS/BNF)
- you want to interrogate the guidance conversationally (“what if…?”, “does X change the plan?”)
- you want simulation-style reasoning (Brainstorm) and exam prep (Quiz) alongside point-of-care answers
Bottom line
BMJ Best Practice is a strong “structured reference” product.
iatroX is designed for the reality of modern UK clinical work: fast Q&A, grounded in UK guidance, free for individuals, and built around iterative reasoning.
Public information last reviewed: 17 Dec 2025.
Use-Cases
Rapid answer during a busy shift
When to choose iatroX
- Ask a focused question (e.g., first-line management / red flags / what to do next) and iterate quickly.
- Best when you need an answer in seconds, not a full monograph.
When to choose BMJ Best Practice
- Open the topic and follow the structured sections; strong for comprehensive review but can be slower if you only need one specific answer.
Learning a condition end-to-end
When to choose iatroX
- Use Brainstorm to simulate reasoning and explore differential diagnosis and next steps in a case-like flow.
- Great for “why” questions and decision points grounded in UK practice.
When to choose BMJ Best Practice
- Excellent for systematic learning: definitions, epidemiology, differentials, investigations, and stepwise management in a consistent layout.
Standardising a team’s approach
When to choose iatroX
- Useful for aligning day-to-day decisions with UK guidance via fast Q&A and scenario exploration.
When to choose BMJ Best Practice
- Strong for shared reference across teams because topic pages are stable and consistently structured.
FAQs
- Is BMJ Best Practice free in the UK?
- BMJ Best Practice is typically a paid product for personal subscriptions, though some clinicians may have access via their institution. Access varies by organisation, so it’s worth checking locally.
- Can iatroX replace BMJ Best Practice?
- Not always. BMJ Best Practice can be excellent for structured, end-to-end topic reviews. iatroX is optimised for fast, UK-guideline-grounded answers and scenario exploration. Many clinicians will use both depending on the task.
- Which is faster at the point of care?
- For narrowly scoped questions (e.g., “first-line management” or “red flags”), a Q&A-first workflow like iatroX is often quicker. For full topic reviews, BMJ Best Practice’s structure can be more efficient.