The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network is using digital health to help its employees maintain a healthy weight.

The health network is partnering with Omada Health, a virtual care programme to help people lose weight and reduce their risk of developing chronic conditions, specifically type 2 diabetes.

Omada Health's CDC-recognised virtual-first diabetes prevention programme is being integrated into the health network's digital health platform, Xealth, which makes it easy for eligible employees to find and enrol in the programme.

Integrated into the electronic health record system since 2018, Xealth's platform now includes Omada as its 10th digital health app, covering various clinical areas.

Xealth supports various digital health applications within the health system, covering areas like mental health, maternity, and diabetes.

It helps health systems integrate and track digital health solutions into their clinical workflows, enhancing patient engagement and care.

So far, 1,200 employees have been invited to the programme, with about 25% participating and collectively losing about 1,300 pounds.

Froedtert & MCW health network innovation arm Inception Health chief medical officer Bradley Crotty said: “Our clinicians and staff dedicate themselves to making sure our patients have the resources they need to live their healthiest lives.

“It is important that, as a health system, we do the same for each member of our team.

“Early results indicate high engagement and enhanced outcomes for people using the Omada programme and adding it to our digital health platform amplifies these outcomes, improving enrolment and engagement so that our members benefit from these individualised programmes.”