How to do it... The 6 R's

In terms of back up/delayed antibiotic prescribing it is important to remember the 6 R’s. They are as follows:

1. Reassurance
2. Reasons not to use antibiotics (side effects / allergy / AMR)
3. Relief: support paracetamol
4. Realistic natural history
5. Reinforce key message (only use if getting worse or not even starting to settle in the expected average time)
6. Rescue (safety netting)

Most of the 6 R’s are simply good practice, and are in the NICE guidance, these guides are easy to implement and will reduce antibiotic prescribing.