BMJ Best Practice and Comorbidities Manager: trusted tools for complex care

BMJ Best Practice and Comorbidities Manager: trusted tools for complex care

BMJ Best Practice remains a nationally funded clinical decision support tool, available free to health and social care staff in Scotland through The Knowledge Network. In 2025, the subscription was renewed with the addition of the Comorbidities Manager, an important enhancement designed to support care for people living with multiple conditions.

Over the past year, usage of BMJ Best Practice has dipped. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including technical changes to the login process and the rapid growth of AI tools that summarise medical information. While these tools can be useful for general information, they are not designed to provide the up-to-date, evidence-based guidance clinicians need to make safe clinical decisions.

This activity aims to re-emphasise the value of BMJ Best Practice, with a particular focus on the Comorbidities Manager and the importance of using trusted, authoritative sources in clinical practice.

Why BMJ Best Practice still matters

BMJ Best Practice is a continually updated, evidence-based resource written and reviewed by clinical experts. It supports clinicians across settings with guidance that reflects current best evidence and recognised standards of care.

Unlike generic AI outputs, BMJ Best Practice is transparent about its sources, updated regularly, and designed specifically for clinical decision-making. It provides reassurance that the information being used is reliable, current and clinically appropriate.

The value of the Comorbidities Manager

The Comorbidities Manager is a key addition to the service. It recognises the reality of modern healthcare, where many patients live with more than one long-term condition.

The tool allows clinicians to tailor guidance by identifying potential interactions, conflicts, or considerations across multiple conditions. This supports safer, more personalised decision-making and helps clinicians manage complexity more effectively, particularly in primary care, acute settings, and community services.

Working with partners to increase awareness

Partners and stakeholders across health and social care play a vital role in promoting awareness and encouraging use of BMJ Best Practice. Championing these nationally funded resources helps ensure staff know what is available to them and understand the benefits of using trusted clinical decision support tools.

By strengthening awareness and adoption, we can support safer clinical decisions and better care for people across Scotland.

BMJ Best Practice, including the Comorbidities Manager, is available free to all health and social care staff in Scotland via The Knowledge Network. Find out more BMJ Best Practice and Comorbidities Manager: trusted tools for complex care | The Knowledge Network Scotland

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