About 70% Feel Burdened by Medical Visits During Summer Heat; Around 40% Have Struggled to Find Clinics During Obon Period

Levcli, an online medical consultation platform operated by Levellizes Inc., conducted a survey targeting 520 men and women aged 20–69 across Japan who experienced health issues during summer (June to September) within the past three years, to understand real-world medical-seeking behaviors during hot seasons.

〈Survey Summary〉

Approximately 90% have delayed medical visits during summer; about one in four experienced prolonged symptoms afterward

About 70% feel burdened by clinic visits during summer; around 40% have struggled to find healthcare providers during the Obon period

Around 90% are concerned about elderly parents’ health in summer; about 70% feel anxious about caring for sick children

Approximately 60% are open to using online medical consultations, hoping for support in deciding whether to visit a clinic and reducing the burden of in-person visits

1. About 90% have experienced delaying medical visits during summer, with about one in four reporting prolonged symptoms afterward

When asked about experiences of staying home instead of visiting a hospital or clinic during summer illness, about 90% reported having done so. Those who answered "multiple times (25.8%)" or "a few times (49.4%)" totaled 75.2%, indicating that over 70% have experienced this more than once.

The most common reason for delaying a visit was "thought symptoms were mild (60.6%)", followed by "believed over-the-counter or existing medication would suffice (42.8%)" and "wanted to avoid long wait times or crowds (21.8%)". Additionally, reasons specific to summer include "going out was burdensome due to heat (17.4%)".

Regarding health changes after delaying a visit, "symptoms lasted longer (24.1%)" was reported by about one in four respondents. Additionally, about 6% reported their symptoms worsened.

2. About 70% feel burdened by medical visits during summer; around 40% have struggled to find clinics during the Obon period

When asked about the burden of going out or traveling to visit a clinic during summer illness, 28.8% answered "feel very burdened" and 46.3% "feel somewhat burdened", totaling 75.1%.

Regarding difficulties finding clinics during Obon or summer holidays, 4.0% said "multiple times", 24.2% "a few times", and 12.9% "once", totaling about 40% who reported having such experiences. These findings reveal seasonal challenges in accessing healthcare during summer, including the physical burden of traveling in extreme heat and clinic closures during holidays.

3. Around 90% are concerned about elderly parents’ health in summer; about 70% feel anxious about caring for sick children

When asked how concerned they are about the health of parents aged 65 or older during summer, 34.2% answered "very concerned" and 51.6% "somewhat concerned", totaling 85.8%. The top concern was "risk of heatstroke or dehydration (51.0%)", followed by "difficulty noticing changes in parents’ condition (45.5%)". This indicates widespread concern not only about heat-related risks but also about failing to detect health changes in elderly parents.

Additionally, among respondents with children aged high school or younger, 26.2% answered "very anxious" and 46.7% "somewhat anxious" about handling their child’s illness during summer, totaling 72.9%. The most common concern was "long wait times or clinic crowding (48.1%)", followed by "difficulty deciding whether a visit is necessary (43.8%)". This suggests that summer is a season of heightened health anxiety not only for oneself but also for elderly parents and children.

4. Approximately 60% are open to using online medical consultations during summer, hoping for advice when uncertain about visiting a clinic and for reducing the burden of in-person visits

When asked whether they would use a service allowing consultations with doctors via smartphone from home during summer illness, 18.7% answered "strongly agree" and 38.7% "somewhat agree", totaling 57.4%, indicating about 60% expressed willingness to use such services.

Top reasons for wanting to use online consultations include "easier to consult during nights or holidays (52.0%)", "can consult when unsure whether to visit a clinic (47.7%)", "can avoid physical exhaustion from waiting (46.6%)", and "no need to travel in extreme heat (44.0%)".

On the other hand, the main reason for hesitating to use online consultations was "concern about diagnostic accuracy (38.7%)", followed by "worries about fully conveying symptoms" and "unclear or perceived high costs".

〈Comment from Medical Supervisor, Dr. Jun Makino〉

Summer is a high-risk period for heatstroke and dehydration, and symptoms often start with fatigue or headaches—seemingly mild at first glance. This survey shows over 70% feel burdened by clinic visits in summer, suggesting many may delay seeking care due to the physical strain of traveling in heat.

Delaying medical visits may lead to prolonged or worsened symptoms. Therefore, when uncertain about the need for a visit or when going out is burdensome due to heat, utilizing online consultations can be a viable option. However, for emergencies such as altered consciousness or severe dehydration, please consider in-person visits or emergency services immediately.

◆ Dr. Jun Makino – Profile

Graduated from Keio University School of Medicine. Certified Plastic Surgeon by the Japan Specialist Medical Corporation. Part-time Lecturer at Keio University School of Medicine. Currently serves as medical supervisor for the online medical platform "Levcli" and the cosmetic clinic "JSKIN Clinic (https://jskinclinic.com/)".

<Professional Memberships>

Japanese Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

Japanese Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (JSAPS)

<Survey Overview>

Survey Period: June 19 (Fri) – June 22 (Mon), 2026

Method: Online survey

Conducted by: Levellizes Inc.

Survey Partner: Macromill Inc.

Valid Responses: 520

Target: Men and women aged 20–69 across Japan who experienced health issues during summer (June–September) within the past three years

Levcli (https://levcli.jp/)

Levcli is an online medical platform with the concept of "your home as your clinic," enabling users to easily consult doctors via smartphone and receive prescribed medications at home. The entire process—appointment booking, pre-consultation, phone or video consultation, payment, and medication delivery—can be completed online. Follow-up support is also available; users can have follow-up consultations or consult with doctors via their personal page after receiving medication. *Consultations and prescriptions are conducted by partner medical institutions.

Levellizes Inc. (https://leverages.jp/)

Head Office: Shibuya Scramble Square, 24F/25F, 2-24 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

CEO: Tomohide Iwatsuki

Capital: 50 million yen

Founded: April 2005

Business: Human resources, IT, healthcare, and wellness sectors