About us

Born of real-world necessity

Map of Medicine is the combined inspiration of medical entrepreneur Dr Mike Stein and Prof. Owen Epstein, a London-based practicing NHS gastroenterologist.

They were part of a development team working in 2001 at The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust in London. Typically for a large teaching hospital, Royal Free was under pressure to reduce clinic waiting times in the face of increasing referral numbers. The team found that the quality of referrals had a major impact on waiting times. Making specialist knowledge available to all clinicians would improve referrals. So Map of Medicine was born as a tool to improve dialogue between primary and secondary care.

Early support

Map of Medicine was initially developed with the support of University College London and the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust.

As demand grew amongst healthcare communities in the UK it became clear there was international potential that required greater business support.

Growing the business

In June 2005 the growing business was acquired by international publishers Informa plc. Three years later, Map of Medicine caught the attention of Hearst Corporation, who acquired the business in April 2008. 

The Map forms part of Hearst Business Media along with sister organisations:

Zynx Health, which provides evidence-based solutions for improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of patient care;

First Databank provides medication decision-making solutions;

MCG (formerly Milliman Care Guidelines) helps providers drive effective care, and provides fast access to globally sourced, clinically validated best practices that support clinical decision making.