Consensus vs iatroX (2025): Research Papers vs Clinical Guidelines
Current iatroX access
askiatroX and the PSA, PARA, MRCP Part 1, MRCEM SBA question banks are free. Other exam banks offer free samples, with full access included in all-access (£29/month or £99/year in the UK; US$29/month or US$99/year elsewhere).
Up to 10 new sample questions per day, shared across exams and subject to availability, with explanations and no account required. One complete guided Tutor session is included with a verified free account; continued Tutor use is included in all-access.
See all-access plans · Access checked . This comparison is published by iatroX.
At a Glance
Who is it for?
iatroX:Clinicians needing standard-of-care answers.
Consensus / Scite:Researchers/Academics needing the 'cutting edge' or novel data.
Why choose iatroX?
- **Safe for Practice**: Based on approved national guidelines (current UK clinical and prescribing guidance), not single studies.
- **Synthesized**: Combines diagnosis, management, and prescribing into a plan.
- **UK Focused**: Filters out irrelevant international data.
- iatroX's UK clinical-reference component is UKCA-marked and registered with the MHRA as a Class I medical device.
Why choose Consensus / Scite?
- **Cutting Edge**: Finds papers published *yesterday*, before they make it into guidelines.
- **Broad Scope**: Covers non-clinical topics (policy, economics, basic science).
- **Direct Sources**: Links directly to the PDF of the primary research.
Feature Comparison
| Capability | iatroX | Consensus / Scite |
|---|---|---|
| Source Data | Curated Guidelines (Secondary Evidence) | Raw Academic Papers (Primary Evidence) |
| Reliability | High (Established Consensus) | Variable (Depends on the study quality) |
In-Depth Analysis
Overview
Consensus (and tools like Elicit/Scite) are search engines for science. They read millions of PDFs to answer questions like "Does magnesium help sleep?" by summarizing individual studies. They are brilliant for research.
iatroX is a search engine for practice. In medicine, we generally do not treat patients based on a single new paper; we treat them based on established guidelines that have synthesized that evidence. iatroX retrieves these guidelines.
Key Differences
If you ask Consensus "How do I treat hypertension?", it might show you a new paper from 2024 about a novel drug trial in mice. If you ask iatroX, it will show you the current national guidance flowchart that you are legally expected to follow today.
Use-Cases
Treating a Patient
When to choose iatroX
- **Use iatroX.** You need the established, medico-legally defensible standard of care.
When to choose Consensus / Scite
- **Avoid.** A single study found on Consensus might contradict national safety advice.
Writing a Dissertation/Audit
When to choose iatroX
- Good for the 'Introduction' (standard practice).
When to choose Consensus / Scite
- **Essential.** Finds the specific references and novel data needed for academic writing.
FAQs
- Is Consensus free?
- Consensus uses a freemium model. askiatroX clinical reference is free; paid learning features are included in all-access.
- Can iatroX find research papers?
- No. iatroX is designed to retrieve clinical guidelines (current authoritative clinical guidance). For raw research papers, Consensus is the better tool.