NICE CKS vs ClinicalKey (2025): Summary vs Search Engine

Last reviewed: 2025-12-19 · Reviewed by

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At a Glance

Who is it for?

NICE CKS:GPs / Nurses

ClinicalKey:Researchers / Specialists

Why choose NICE CKS?

  • **Actionable**: Bullet points telling you exactly what to prescribe.
  • **Targeted**: Only covers conditions relevant to primary care.
  • **Standard**: The legal baseline for UK GP practice.

Why choose ClinicalKey?

  • **Comprehensive**: Access to thousands of textbooks.
  • **Multimedia**: Image and video search.
  • **Depth**: Good for rare conditions CKS ignores.

Feature Comparison

CapabilityNICE CKSClinicalKey
FormatWeb SummaryBook / Journal
UseConsultationResearch

In-Depth Analysis

Overview

NICE CKS is for the consultation. It is quick, dirty, and effective. ClinicalKey is for the library. It is deep, rich, and overwhelming.

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Use-Cases

Treatment of Acne

When to choose NICE CKS

  • **Winner.** Step-by-step treatment ladder.

When to choose ClinicalKey

  • Overwhelming number of results.

Researching a Presentation

When to choose NICE CKS

  • Too brief.

When to choose ClinicalKey

  • **Winner.** Source of images and references.