Peppa Wutz Doctors warn of some bad messages in the children's series

Peppa Wutz stokes the inappropriate use of medical services?

A recent article by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) points out the false messages that are distributed with the television series Peppa Wutz and warned of possible consequences in the use of medical services. In more than 180 countries worldwide, the series will be broadcast and the impact on the expectations of society should not be underestimated, the BMJ said.

Often, as a family doctor, she asked herself why some patients consult a doctor immediately, even for mild symptoms, according to author Catherine Bell. TV shows like Peppa Wutz could play a role in her opinion. In the series, a picture of doctors drawn that unfulfillable expectations stoke and lead to an increased use of medical services, according to the thesis of the doctor.

Many children like to watch Peppa Wutz. However, in the children's series, according to medical experts, an inappropriate picture of medical care is drawn. (Image: HERRNDORFF / fotolia.com)

Are unrealistic expectations awakened?

Peppa Wutz is a popular children's series featuring the young pig Peppa, her family, animal friends and members of the community. Dr. Brown bear is the family doctor who helps with all medical problems. It offers its patients excellent service with prompt and direct telephone access, continuity of care, extended opening hours and constant availability for home visits. A presentation of common practice that, according to Catherine Bell, can lead to unrealistic expectations of medical care.

Example from the children's series

Based on three examples from the series, the physician describes the possible effects that Dr. med. Brown bear's actions on patient behavior could have. In the first case, a three year old piglet has an erythematous maculopapular facial rash and the parents call the doctor. He advises to bring the patient to bed, and decides on an urgent home visit. During the visit, the patient's tongue is examined and a "rash" diagnosed. The doctor assures the parents that it is "nothing serious", but offers a dose of medicine on request. The rash will probably disappear as fast as it originated. brown bear.

Inappropriate action by Dr. med. brown bear

The complaints indicate a viral rash and even cost reasons in such cases, no home visit is appropriate, says Bell. Also, this is an example of unnecessary medication prescribing a viral disease and encouraging patients to act inappropriately on their family doctor. "Depending on the interpretation of the drug, Dr. med. Brown bear either uses antibiotics in an age of rising antibiotic resistance or other prescription drugs whose costs are at the expense of the health care system, "Bell said.

Doctor visit after two minutes cold

In the second example, Schorsch (Peppa's brother) has a cold and the parents call for two-minute cold symptoms in the month-old piglet. Brown bear on. Although on Saturday, he immediately answers the phone and immediately decides on an urgent home visit. After examining the throat, he diagnoses an upper respiratory tract infection and advises bed rest and warm milk intake. The symptoms then resolve within twelve hours.

Constant availability suggests

According to the understanding presented here, the doctor is also available outside of normal working hours at any time and he decides again for a clinically inappropriate urgent home visit, said Bell. However, at least the recommendation was appropriate in this case and his advice could encourage the family to self-medicate similar diseases in the future.

Coughing in the playgroup

In the third case, the three-year-old Pony Pedro coughs three times while participating in the playgroup and the kindergarten teacher calls Dr. Ing. Brown bear, who immediately visits the playgroup - in a green car with a siren. For diagnosis he asks whether it is a tickling cough or a deep-seated cough, and inquires about the duration of the symptoms. Without naming the diagnosis, the doctor will administer a dose of medicine and warn that the cough is potentially transmissible. Subsequently, the rest of the playgroup participants and their parents develop symptoms and all receive a dose of the unspecified pink medicine. Even the Dr. Brown bear becomes ill and must then take his medicine.

Burnout at dr. brown bear

In the latter case, according to Bell, the first signs of burnout seem to show up at Dr. Ing. Brown bear. He disregards the confidentiality, the parental consent, the documentation obligation and the own infection protection. "He is no longer able to provide the level of service expected of his patients," says the author.

Conclusion

On the whole, Peppa Wutz conveys a great many positive messages in the area of ​​public health and promotes a healthy diet, exercise and traffic safety. "But from (repeated, usually involuntary) examination of the material comes the hypothesis that the exposure to Peppa Wutz and this presentation of general practice raises the patients' expectations and promotes inappropriate use of medical services", the doctor's conclusion. (Fp)