Thryve x WATCH: Expanding Access to Post-COVID Care Through Telemedicine and Wearables

The long-term effects of COVID-19, commonly known as Post-COVID or Long COVID, have created urgent challenges for health systems around the world. Patients experiencing fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and psychological symptoms need interdisciplinary support. But many of those affected live far from specialized clinics.

The WATCH study is a pioneering initiative that brings together mobile clinics, telemedicine, and wearable data to bridge that gap. Backed by German federal innovation funding and powered by Thryve’s data infrastructure, WATCH is creating a new model for how rural regions can access personalized post-viral care.

Study Partners

The WATCH project (Mobile wohnortnahe Versorgung zur Steuerung der sektorübergreifenden Therapie bei Post-COVID-19 in Thüringen) is led by Universitätsklinikum Jena (UK Jena), one of Germany’s leading academic medical centers known for its focus on translational medicine and regional care innovation.

• The project is coordinated in partnership with the Zentrum für Seelische Gesundheit (Center for Mental Health) and supported by a network of general practitioners, physiotherapists, psychologists, and digital health providers throughout the state of Thuringia.
• Funding is provided by the Innovationsfonds of the Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss (G-BA), Germany’s highest decision-making body for joint self-governance in healthcare. With a total investment of €5.8 million, WATCH is part of a nationwide effort to pilot new care models that can later be integrated into standard statutory health insurance offerings.

Together, these partners aim to address the unique post-viral health challenges facing underserved communities through a combination of on-the-ground services and intelligent digital care.

The Problem: A care gap for long-haul COVID patients

Post-COVID syndrome affects individuals with a wide range of persistent symptoms. The syndrome does not present the same way for every patient, and symptoms can shift or intensify over time, making consistent care a challenge.

For patients in rural or less-connected areas, accessing specialized treatment is especially difficult. Urban medical centers often house the only clinics equipped to handle complex post-viral conditions. Meanwhile, primary care providers in local communities may not be trained to identify or manage Post-COVID effectively. This disconnect leaves many patients without guidance or resources, prolonging their recovery and affecting their quality of life.

The WATCH project aims to close this gap by combining mobile outreach services, wearable monitoring, and centralized medical expertise. This hybrid model ensures patients receive personalized, data-informed care—without needing to travel long distances or wait for limited appointments.

The Solution: Bringing the clinic to the patient

WATCH integrates three key innovations to deliver holistic care:

• The PoCo-Bus (Post-COVID Bus): A mobile, fully equipped diagnostic clinic that travels to patients across Thuringia, conducting initial assessments and lab work.
• A 12-week digital rehab program, divided into three modules:
  
  • BRAIN: App-based cognitive training
  • BODY: Structured physical rehab supported by wearable data
  • SOUL: Short-term behavioral therapy via video consultation
• Remote Monitoring via Wearables: Patients are equipped with fitness trackers that monitor physical activity, sleep, and stress levels. This data is used to tailor the digital program and assess patient progress.

Thryve provides the backend infrastructure to:

• Seamlessly collect and standardize wearable data from fitness trackers
• Enable GDPR-compliant data exchange between apps, clinics, and research teams
• Offer clinicians a real-time view of patient behavior and rehab progress

The Results: Building a scalable hybrid care model

WATCH is ongoing, but early phases have already demonstrated key wins:

• Increased access to structured care for patients who otherwise would remain unsupported
• Real-time insights into physical activity and stress, supporting more personalized treatment
• Improved care continuity between outpatient providers, therapists, and clinics
• A replicable model for hybrid telemedicine and on-site diagnostics in rural areas

Long COVID has exposed deep weaknesses in how care is accessed and coordinated across regions. By using wearable data and mobile care units, WATCH shows how health systems can reach people where they are physically and emotionally. Thryve’s role in WATCH reaffirms our commitment to unlocking real-world health data for the benefit of patients, providers, and researchers alike. With the right tools, innovation can travel.

WATCH is more than a research project, it’s a scalable template for equitable, tech-enabled care delivery. And Thryve is proud to power its digital backbone.

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