LITFL vs iatroX (2025): The FOAMed Bible vs The Clinical Assistant
At a Glance
Who is it for?
iatroX:Clinicians needing standard national guidelines (NICE/RCEM).
Life in the Fast Lane (LITFL):ED & ICU Clinicians needing deep physiology, ECGs, and 'FOAMed' pearls.
Why choose iatroX?
- **Standardised Care**: Delivers approved national guidelines (NICE, RCEM) for medico-legal safety.
- **Broad Scope**: Covers general medicine, GP, and ward-based topics outside the ED/ICU niche.
- **Interactive Q&A**: instantly answers 'What is the dose?' without searching long articles.
- **Integrated Tools**: Includes Quiz and Brainstorm modes for active learning.
Why choose Life in the Fast Lane (LITFL)?
- **ECG Library**: The absolute global authority on ECG interpretation with thousands of examples.
- **Critical Care Philosophy**: Deep dives into physiology, toxicology, and 'art of medicine' nuances.
- **Expert Voice**: Written by practising intensivists/EM consultants with a distinct, engaging style.
- **Toxicology**: Extensive library on specific toxidromes and envenomation.
Feature Comparison
| Capability | iatroX | Life in the Fast Lane (LITFL) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Focus | Guidelines & Protocols (The 'Rules') | Physiology & Nuance (The 'Art') |
| Format | AI Assistant (Q&A) | Blog / Wiki / Image Library |
| Governance | UKCA-marked Medical Device | Peer-reviewed Blog (FOAMed) |
| Best For | Routine Management & Safety | Complex Critical Care & ECGs |
In-Depth Analysis
Overview
Life in the Fast Lane (LITFL) is legendary. For Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, it is arguably the most important educational site on the internet. It excels at the "deep dive"—explaining the physiology of sepsis, the nuance of toxicology, and the pattern recognition of ECGs.
iatroX plays a different role. It is the "guard rails." In a high-pressure environment, you don't always need a deep dive into physiology; you need the approved RCEM or NICE guideline to ensure you are treating the patient safely and legally.
When To Use Each
- Use LITFL when: You have a complex patient in Resus, you need to interpret a bizarre ECG, or you are revising for a Fellowship exam and want to understand the why behind the medicine.
- Use iatroX when: You are managing a patient on the ward or in a busy ED bay and need the what—the specific dose, the admission criteria, or the standard management algorithm.
In-Depth: The ECG Library
This is the biggest differentiator. LITFL’s ECG library is unrivalled. iatroX is a text-based AI and cannot interpret images or teach visual pattern recognition like LITFL can.
Use-Cases
Interpreting a Difficult ECG
When to choose iatroX
- N/A – iatroX is text-based.
When to choose Life in the Fast Lane (LITFL)
- **Essential.** Match the trace against the massive LITFL library.
Managing a standard Sepsis case
When to choose iatroX
- **Recommended.** Provides the Sepsis 6 protocol and antibiotic choices per BNF/NICE.
When to choose Life in the Fast Lane (LITFL)
- Focuses more on the physiological debates (e.g. fluid responsiveness) than the routine protocol.
Exam Revision (FCEM/Exams)
When to choose iatroX
- Good for guideline recall.
When to choose Life in the Fast Lane (LITFL)
- **Excellent.** The 'Critical Care Compendium' is a revision staple.
FAQs
- Is LITFL free?
- Yes, it is a Free Open Access Meducation (FOAMed) resource.
- Does iatroX cover Emergency Medicine?
- Yes, iatroX covers all major acute presentations (ACS, Stroke, Sepsis, Trauma) aligned with NICE and RCEM guidelines.