MicroGuide vs iatroX (2025): Local Trust Policy vs National Guidelines
At a Glance
Who is it for?
iatroX:Clinicians needing national standard-of-care (NICE/CKS) and diagnostic support.
MicroGuide:Hospital clinicians needing local Trust-specific protocols (especially Antibiotics).
Why choose iatroX?
- **Diagnostic Support**: Helps with 'What is it?' and 'How do I investigate?'
- **National Context**: Provides the NICE/CKS baseline, essential for exams and primary care.
- **Interactive**: Ask questions in natural language; Brainstorm cases.
- **Free for individuals**.
Why choose MicroGuide?
- **Local Authority**: The only source for 'What antibiotic does *this* hospital use?'
- **Trust Specific**: Includes local bleeps, referral pathways, and formulary choices.
- **Offline Caching**: Essential for hospital basements with no signal.
- **Governance**: Content is signed off by the local Caldicott Guardian/Chief Pharmacist.
Feature Comparison
| Capability | iatroX | MicroGuide |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | National (NICE, CKS, BNF) | Local (Trust/Health Board specific) |
| Core Use | Clinical Reasoning & Guidelines | Antimicrobial Stewardship & Local Protocols |
| Input | Natural Language Q&A | Menu Navigation / Search |
In-Depth Analysis
Overview
This is the classic Local vs. National distinction.
MicroGuide is the app for local implementation. It is predominantly used for antimicrobial guidelines (e.g., "At St Mary's Hospital, we use Co-amoxiclav for pneumonia, not Amoxicillin"). It is the digital voice of the local hospital pharmacy and governance team.
iatroX is the app for national standards. It provides the NICE/CKS view of the world.
When To Use Each
- Use MicroGuide when: You are about to write a prescription for an antibiotic in a hospital, or need to follow a specific local referral protocol (e.g., "The Chest Pain Pathway").
- Use iatroX when: You are diagnosing the patient, planning the investigation strategy, or managing a condition where local variation is minimal (e.g., Hypertension, Asthma, Diabetes).
The Conflict
Sometimes MicroGuide (Local) and iatroX (National) will disagree. In a specific hospital setting, MicroGuide usually trumps iatroX for drug selection because it accounts for local resistance patterns and stock availability.
Use-Cases
Prescribing Antibiotics
When to choose iatroX
- Good for 'What does NICE recommend generally?'.
When to choose MicroGuide
- **Essential.** 'What is the specific first-line for *this* Trust given local resistance?'
Diagnosing Sepsis
When to choose iatroX
- **Recommended.** Helps identify red flags, risk stratify (NEWS2 context), and suggest workup.
When to choose MicroGuide
- Useful only if there is a specific 'Sepsis Protocol' uploaded by the Trust.
Ward Round Query
When to choose iatroX
- 'What is the management of Hyponatraemia?' (General best practice).
When to choose MicroGuide
- 'Which consultant takes the Hyponatraemia referrals here?' (Local pathway).
FAQs
- Does iatroX have local hospital guidelines?
- No. iatroX focuses on national standards (NICE, CKS, BNF). For local protocols, MicroGuide is the correct tool.
- Can I use iatroX in a hospital?
- Yes, for diagnostic reasoning, national guidelines, and general management. However, always defer to MicroGuide or local policy for specific antimicrobial prescribing.