Long-term health and economic impact of using digital tool Gro Health W8Buddy to support people accessing specialist weight management services
Class 2 obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m²) with at least one medical complication (e.g., prediabetes, type 2 diabetes [T2DM]); or patients with obesity class 3 (BMI ≥40 kg/m2), without any complications.
W8Buddy is a virtual specialist WMS pathway. It is accessed through a digital behavioural change platform called the Gro Health app. Participants will either use (i) a fully digital weight management program (remote digital pathway Gro Health W8Buddy) or (ii) site-specific delivered weight management programs incorporating face-to-face and/or virtual group sessions (standard care). Both are 18-month programmes that will deliver weight loss medication in line with usual medication provision as determined in local services. This is a multi-site prospective comparative observational cohort study with embedded cost-effectiveness analysis and process evaluation, comprising four work packages (WP) to assess the following: 1. Set up, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) & Stakeholder engagement 2. Clinical impact 3. Health economic impact 4. Process evaluation The W8Buddy app provides personalised WMS to support patients in achieving their self-selected health goals and support weight loss with real-time remote monitoring. The digitally enabled WMS service at UHCW uses W8Buddy and augments traditionally delivered NHS care. The key features of W8Buddy include provision of one-to-one services by a medically qualified obesity specialist (specialist dietitian, psychologist and a GP with a special interest in weight management), clinical support via a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), group work (e.g. education modules, virtual sessions) and behaviour change activities, plus signposting to local and national services. The digital pathway is delivered through app contents, in-app chat, video teleconferencing and telephone. Prescribing is led by a Clinical Pharmacist who has an appointment with the patient during Week 1. There are then monthly medication reviews for the first 6 months and then every 12 weeks. Medication tracking is supported in the W8Buddy application. Side effects can be logged through the W8Buddy application and are discussed at the medication re
1. Adults aged 18 years and above 2. Class 2 obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m²) with at least one medical complication (e.g., prediabetes, type 2 diabetes [T2DM]); or patients with obesity class 3 (BMI ≥40 kg/m²), without any complications.
1. Pregnant or breastfeeding 2. Type 1 diabetes mellitus 3. End-stage renal disease (eGFR <15, receiving renal replacement therapy) 4. Active or untreated alcohol or drug dependency 5. Decompensated liver disease 6. History of anorexia, undergoing treatment or awaiting treatment for DSM-V classified eating disorder 7. Severe mental health disease, including acute mental health crisis or self-harm in the last 12 months 8. Unstable mental health disease, including unstable personality disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder 9. Unwilling or unable to commit to participation across the length of the research study 10. Patients targeting bariatric surgery within the length of the research study 11. Participating in another weight management research intervention 12. Participating in the diabetes remission program