On our partnership with DigitalOptometrics

330Talent recently announced a collaborative partnership with DigitalOptometrics — a leader in tele-optometry solutions — to increase the availability of comprehensive eye care services to patients of FQHCs across the country. Founder and CEO of 330Talent, Rob Rioux, explains the importance behind this partnership and how it will benefit so many within the community health space:

Q: How did 330Talent learn of DigitalOptometrics and its solutions? And what triggered the exclusive partnership between 330Talent and the software tech provider?

The principals of DigitalOptometrics contacted me after they completed an extensive search on people with FQHC expertise. They reached out and we began a series of conversations that led to our partnership.

To be honest, it was an easy decision to get involved with Dr. Howard Fried and his company. They have an eye care solution that I believe will be a game-changer for our community health centers. I’m honored to play a role in helping them bring this solution to the patient population.

Q: How will the partnership benefit patients of FQHCs, specifically?

The solution that DigitalOptometrics offers is going to create access to eye care for a patient population that has limited access today. Health care providers are in demand — especially providers that offer a specialty service such as optometry.

There is simply more demand than there are optometrists to satisfy the demand. If a health center is unable to hire a local optometrist, then their patients are out of luck. With the system DigitalOptometrics provides, that is no longer the case. Patients can be seen all day long because there is no longer the need for an on-site optometrist. The exam is conducted virtually.

Before I signed on to this partnership, I wanted to experience exactly what a health center patient would experience, so I became a patient and had my first visit. I can tell you it was so easy – fast, comprehensive, and as odd as it might be to say, it was a fun experience.

Patients are not the only ones who will benefit from this system. The health center will see an improvement in their quality scores because now more patients are getting the care they need. They will be able to find out, through the eye exam, if other clinical conditions exist or are on the horizon. Now they can deal with those clinical issues — whereas before — they had no insight to them.

The health center will also see additional revenue as a result of installing this system. And that’s important – because without revenue, health centers can’t survive. As much as we like to focus on the mission of health centers, that mission can’t be achieved without revenue. The nice thing about this system is that it is cash-positive as soon as it begins.

If I was running a health center today, I would install one or two of these systems immediately.

Q: What’s next for the partnership?

My role in this partnership is to make sure the team at DigitalOptometrics has a clear understanding of how FQHCs work, how they manage their patient populations, and what obstacles the FQHCs and their patients face on a daily basis. Howard and his team are invested in this work. The company was founded on the idea of bringing eye care solutions to those with limited or no access. They are in this business for the right reasons — reasons that very much align with the FQHC movement.

I want to help them help our community health centers. It’s really that simple. I think the partnership will grow over time – they have a unique offering and there is more work to be done in eye care services for the FQHC patient population.

Interested in implementing the solution within your FQHC? You can see how it works and discover the benefits firsthand by scheduling a demo – or set up a 60-day pilot program. Reach out to _rob@330talent.com_ to get started.