HealthPathways vs iatroX (2025): Local Referral Protocols vs National Clinical Guidelines

Last reviewed: 2025-12-19 · Reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler, MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP

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At a Glance

Who is it for?

iatroX:Clinicians needing diagnosis & management support.

HealthPathways:GPs needing local referral forms & criteria.

Why choose iatroX?

  • **Diagnostic Support**: Helps work up the patient *before* the referral decision.
  • **National Standards**: Provides the NICE/CKS baseline when local pathways are silent.
  • **Speed**: Instant Q&A vs navigating a directory hierarchy.
  • **Mobile**: Designed for point-of-care use on personal devices.

Why choose HealthPathways?

  • **Local Authority**: Tells you exactly which consultant/clinic to refer to in your area.
  • **Funding Criteria**: Lists specific local funding restrictions (e.g., 'Only refer if BMI < 30').
  • **Service Directory**: Includes phone numbers and fax forms for local services.
  • **Integration**: Often links directly from the GP clinical system.

Feature Comparison

CapabilityiatroXHealthPathways
Scope-Local (ICB/PHN specific)
Primary Use-Referral & Logistics

In-Depth Analysis

Overview

HealthPathways is the manual for your local healthcare system. It answers: "I know this patient needs a cardiologist; which clinic accepts them in this town, and what form do I fill in?"

iatroX is the manual for medicine. It answers: "Does this patient need a cardiologist, or can I manage them here with medication?"

Key Differences

In a perfect consultation, you use iatroX to diagnose and manage the patient up to the limit of primary care. If that limit is reached, you use HealthPathways to execute the handover to secondary care.

Use-Cases

Routine Referral

When to choose iatroX

  • Checks national referral criteria.

When to choose HealthPathways

  • **Essential.** Tells you *how* to refer to the local hospital.

Managing in Primary Care

When to choose iatroX

  • **Winner.** 'How do I manage this condition without referring?'

When to choose HealthPathways

  • Variable. Some pathways are just referral instructions.

FAQs

Does iatroX have local referral forms?
No. For local administrative forms, HealthPathways is the correct tool.