Fit for Fever
Project duration
01.11.25-31.10.2026
Fit for fever – a research project for families and pediatricians' offices
We are investigating how parents obtain information and make decisions when their child has a fever—
and how pediatricians' offices can support them in this process.
The project
The FitFürFieber innovation fund project is testing digital and multimedia care for children with fever in order to promote the proper and safe management of this physiological response. Doctors are participating in an online training course on the current fever guidelines for this purpose. At the same time, parents in around 170 pediatric practices in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg are receiving a comprehensive information package about the “Meine pädiatrische Praxis” (My Pediatric Practice) app from the Professional Association of Pediatricians, the FeverApp, and other digital offerings.
An additional, personal educational consultation following a regular preventive medical check-up is intended to further empower and support parents. An accompanying comparative study is investigating how this new form of care affects prescribing behavior, emergency visits, and the overall health economic situation. A survey on attitudes toward fever and a detailed analysis of effectiveness complete the research design.
Background information
Protective and warning mechanism of the child's organism
In pediatric medicine, fever has always been considered an essential first sign of illness. At the same time, the increase in body temperature associated with fever leads to an accelerated response from the immune system and thus helps to fight pathogens. Nevertheless, fever causes anxiety in many parents and is often the reason for disproportionately frequent emergency visits to pediatricians' offices and clinics. In addition, misdiagnoses occasionally lead to unnecessary hospital stays or antibiotic prescriptions, which increases the risk of antibiotic resistance and the associated burdens on the body, the environment, and the healthcare system.
The complexity of dealing with fever and its effects
The significance of fever for a child's health is complex, as subjective fears and ignorance play a role in addition to its physiological protective function. Parents react differently to the first signs of elevated body temperature. In addition, individual experiences, cultural influences, and the respective level of information about fever influence both how affected children are treated and decisions about medication.
What is behind the project?
“Fit for Fever” is a joint project between Witten/Herdecke University, other partners, BIÖG, etc. The project is funded by the Innovation Fund of the Joint Federal Committee. It is carried out in accordance with applicable data protection and ethical standards.
Participation of families
Families participate through participating pediatric and adolescent medical practices. If your practice participates in “Fit for Fever,” you will receive information about the project there.
Information for pediatricians
Pediatricians play a key role in educating families about childhood fever. Participating practices will receive access to online training and materials for use during consultations.
Projectleader
Prof. Dr. med.
David Martin
Project and Institutional Management
Faculty of Health Sciences
(Department of Human Medicine) | Institute for Integrative Medicine (IfIM)
Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4
58313 Herdecke
Raumnummer: Haus D, DG
Prof. Dr. med.
Ekkehart Jenetzky
Project management and data processing
Faculty of Health Sciences
(Department of Human Medicine) | Chair of Medical Theory, Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine
Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4
58313 Herdecke
Raumnummer: C-2.330