This is why clinical decision-making tools like UpToDate, which provide peer-reviewed, evidence-based guidance at the point of care, are a valued resource. “UpToDate is trusted, clinically validated, and evidence-based, and that’s exactly what clinicians need when making decisions under pressure, in a time-constrained system.”
Improving quality, not just safety
Professor Bell believes the NHS has focused too much on safety as a standalone goal, rather than the bigger picture of high-quality care. He explains that while safety is important, it’s just one part of delivering the best outcomes and experience for patients.
“It’s not just about avoiding harm. It’s about choosing the best path for the patient,” he says. For example, when there are two equally safer treatment options, the one that better suits the patient’s needs – such as fewer side effects – is the higher-quality choice.
Tools like UpToDate help clinicians make these decisions by providing real-time, evidence-based information. This supports the NHS’s move toward more patient-centred care, as outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan.
Learning from real-world evidence
Professor Bell further highlights the importance of learning from real-world evidence — data collected from actual clinical practice.
He sees tools like UpToDate as not only a source of trusted information but emphasised that we must also use them as a means of learning from how clinicians use them: supporting ongoing education and professional development, while harnessing insights from millions of clinical interactions to inform operational decision-making and support clinicians for maximum benefit.
“We need to ask the right questions, and we need tools that help us answer them – not just with theory, but with evidence from real practice,” he says. This approach helps identify gaps in knowledge, improve decision-making, and drive system-wide improvements.
Supporting clinicians and trainees
Professor Bell is particularly passionate about supporting resident doctors, who often spend hours inputting data into systems without seeing much benefit. “Unless the system gives something back – like decision support or learning prompts – it’s just administration with time taken from patient care,” he says.
Tools like UpToDate can help by saving time, boosting confidence, and supporting learning. “UpToDate isn’t just a clinical tool; it’s a teaching tool,” he explains. “It helps students and trainees learn in real time, with real cases, which ultimately helps to drive better outcomes.” As AI in healthcare becomes more prevalent, we must learn how to adopt this best practice into routine practice, in line with guidelines and with appropriate guardrails.
“NHS England is clear that the use of AI in healthcare must be safer, explainable, and grounded in trusted evidence. What matters is not simply what AI can generate, but what it is built on and how it is governed. UpToDate Expert AI reflects this approach — combining generative capability with clinician-in-the-loop validation, clear provenance, and rigorous editorial oversight — so that AI enhances clinical judgement and supports clinical reasoning in a way that is transparent, explainable, and ultimately trusted.”
Building trust in digital tools
As digital tools and AI become more common in healthcare, Professor Bell stresses the importance of trust and transparency. He warns against using “black box” systems that clinicians can’t understand or validate.
