Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Health Network (Froedtert & MCW) in Milwaukee has made notable strides in addressing mental health challenges with the integration of digital therapeutics (DTx). These digital tools have proven to be highly effective in helping patients manage their mental health in ways that are flexible, accessible, and personalized.
The Problem: Unmet Mental Health Needs
Mental health conditions are widespread in the communities served by Froedtert & MCW, yet they often remain under-recognized and under-treated due to limited access to specialized mental healthcare. In response, a multidisciplinary team at Froedtert & MCW set out to create a digital formulary to offer evidence-based digital solutions for a range of physical, mental, and behavioral health conditions. The aim was to bridge gaps in care and provide accessible mental health tools to patients beyond traditional healthcare settings.
A Digital Solution: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The health network recognized that internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) could be a game-changer for mental health care. CBT is a well-established approach for treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic pain. Froedtert & MCW partnered with SilverCloud, a digital health platform that offers personalized CBT programs. These programs allow patients to develop skills to identify, challenge, and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, helping to improve both their mental and physical well-being.
Dr. Bradley Crotty, Chief Digital Officer at Froedtert & MCW, emphasized the flexibility of digital therapeutics. “Such tools could complement or supplement conventional therapy, giving patients the flexibility to work on mental wellness at their own pace and outside of typical office hours,” Crotty explained.
Overcoming Barriers: Accessibility and Convenience
A major barrier to traditional mental health care is financial constraints and scheduling difficulties. By offering SilverCloud at no cost to patients and making it available on any smart device, Froedtert & MCW was able to overcome these hurdles. This approach made it possible for individuals with multiple jobs, busy parents, and students facing tight deadlines to engage in mental health care whenever it was convenient for them.
The program also emphasizes patient autonomy. Initially, patients worked with their providers to select appropriate programs. However, over time, Froedtert & MCW allowed patients to self-enroll in the SilverCloud platform through the Froedtert & MCW mobile app, empowering them to take charge of their mental health without waiting for a provider’s appointment.
Impact: Positive Clinical Outcomes and High Satisfaction
The results speak for themselves. Since the launch of SilverCloud in 2017, more than 10,000 patients have enrolled, and clinical improvements have been significant. Patients with moderate depression experienced an average 23% reduction in PHQ-9 scores (used to measure depression severity), and those with moderate anxiety saw a 26% reduction in GAD-7 scores (used to assess anxiety).
Moreover, user satisfaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with 92% of patients reporting that the program was relevant, helpful, and actionable. Testimonials from patients illustrate the profound impact of digital therapeutics: some have relearned how to drive after car accidents, managed grief after losing a spouse, or gained the confidence to leave unsatisfying careers.
Expanding Access to the Community
Encouraged by the success of SilverCloud, Froedtert & MCW is now working toward expanding access to digital mental health resources. They plan to offer uncoached stress and resilience modules to community members who do not have a provider at the health network, further expanding the reach of these digital tools.
Advice for Other Healthcare Systems
For other healthcare providers considering digital therapeutics, Dr. Crotty advises conducting a thorough market analysis to select the best tools and vendors for their patients. It’s also crucial to educate care teams about the digital offerings and ensure easy access for as many patients as possible, through a variety of enrollment methods, such as manual orders, automated orders, and self-enrollment.
“Digital therapeutics can help patients get the right care at the right time and in a manner that works best for them,” Crotty concluded. “By integrating these tools into care workflows and making them easily accessible, health systems can improve patient outcomes and expand mental health support.”
The success of Froedtert & MCW’s digital therapeutics program demonstrates the potential of technology to revolutionize mental health care. By offering convenient, cost-effective, and flexible solutions, digital therapeutics are enhancing outcomes for patients while also addressing the broader issue of mental health access.
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