Alternative medicine and wellness clinics have become increasingly common across Georgia, offering treatments that promise relief for chronic pain, cancer, autism, Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions.
But a new investigative series from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution raises questions about how closely those practices are monitored and whether patients have enough information to make informed decisions.
The series, “Risky Medicine,” examines Georgia’s medical oversight system, finding that the state’s medical board disciplines physicians at a lower rate than nearly every other state while hundreds of clinics market treatments that often lack strong scientific evidence.
Through interviews with patients, practitioners and regulators, along with an extensive review of public records, the investigation explores the growth of the wellness industry, the qualifications of some providers, the financial and health risks for consumers, and the challenges facing state regulators.
Investigative reporter Carrie Teegardin spoke with WABE’s “All Things Considered” about how the reporting team built its statewide database, what they learned about Georgia’s oversight of alternative medicine, and what patients should know as they navigate a rapidly expanding and often confusing healthcare marketplace.
