Prescribing at the coalface in the era of antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance is of increasing concern to patients, physicians and policy-makers alike. The challenge for the clinician at the coalface, however, is to avoid the undertreatment of seriously ill patients whilst minimising the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Difficult decisions about the most appropriate antibiotic to prescribe can be supported by careful risk factor and prognostic assessment.