Is Peppa Pig leading to more GP visits for children?

Are friendly Dr Brown Bear and Peppa Pig leading to more GP visits for children — as well as more unnecessary medication? Arlene Harris reports.

For some parents, taking their child to see the doctor can be an exercise fraught with anxiety as the very notion of being poked and prodded (no matter how gently) by a stranger can cause stress and trepidation among very young patients.

But thanks to fictional medics on television such as Dr Brown in Peppa Pig, some youngsters have not only lost their fear of doctors but actually, encourage their parents to bring them for a check-up to have their ailments investigated and a ‘cure’ promptly prescribed.