'Even when knowledge improves, emotional anxiety does not easily disappear': Pediatrician Dr. Masahiko Sakamoto on educating parents about childhood illnesses

Dr. Masahiko Sakamoto, a pediatrician from Fukushima prefecture in Japan, recounts a pivotal encounter with a parent and feverish infant that shaped his career. The infant's mild fever and the parents' decision to drive 1.5 hours through dangerous snow-laden roads to reach the hospital prompted Sakamoto to recognize a broader pattern: parents with limited understanding of childhood illnesses can become overly anxious when their child falls ill and seek unnecessary medical care.

This pattern is not unique to Japan, as pediatricians in the U.S. have also observed a similar trend of parents requesting unnecessary antibiotics, often believing the drugs will alleviate their child's suffering.

In response to this issue, Sakamoto has made it his mission to educate parents about childhood illnesses before they arrive at a medical facility. He believes that providing accurate medical information to caregivers would be beneficial, as they often lack the necessary knowledge to determine when a medical visit is truly necessary.

To achieve this goal, Sakamoto began giving public lectures on the topic, later expanding his efforts by writing manuals featuring adorable illustrations and plain-language explanations. In 2016, these manuals were adapted into a free digital app called "Oshiete! Doctor," which has been downloaded over 500,000 times in Japan and has approximately 100,000 active users.

The "Oshiete! Doctor" app covers various topics, including hygiene, immunization schedules, disaster preparedness, and common childhood illnesses. It provides guidance on when children should visit a hospital and explains potential medications and symptom management at home. The app's content is updated annually and is available for children and teens up to about 15 years old. The city of Saku funds the app's operation and promotes its use at health centers and events targeting children and caregivers.

While the app offers valuable resources for parents, challenges remain in educating them about fever, a symptom that often triggers unnecessary medical visits. Sakamoto notes that "fever phobia" among parents is a recognized phenomenon, not unique to Japan. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers similar guidance to help parents navigate fever-related concerns.

Despite these challenges, the "Oshiete! Doctor" app has shown promising results in studies, with users reporting that it aids in making appropriate decisions about hospital visits and they would recommend it to others.