Amarillo Globe, Aug. 15, 2009
UTMB's Dr. Alexander Vo is quoted in this article about telemedicine equipment meant to provide health care for residents of the Panhandle is collecting dust and not being used. Vo said encouraging telemedicine is a national issue and not restricted to the Panhandle. The No. 1 obstacle to increasing the use of the technology is changing the way doctors are paid for treating and referring patients. Current payment methods encourage on-site visits and referrals. "When the doctors get reimbursements for referring the old-fashioned way, it really disincentives them to use telemedicine," Vo said.