Can we talk about stem cells? Exploring communication about stem cell therapies in healthcare

A recent review by PREPARE has examined the essential role communication plays between healthcare professionals and patients when discussing stem cell therapies.

The interdisciplinary research, led by Dr Leanne Rees from reNEW Melbourne in collaboration with Dr Tine Friis from reNEW Copenhagen, Professor Robyn Woodward-Kron from the University of Melbourne, and PREPARE lead Professor Megan Munsie, emphasises the complexity of these conversations and their impact on patient care.

When therapeutic options are limited, many patients look to their healthcare providers or search online for new information, often placing significant hope in the promise of both conventional and experimental therapies. However, this review published in Patient Education and Counseling reveals that conversations surrounding these treatments may not always align with patient hopes or expectations.

The review’s findings highlight the complex nature of these conversations, particularly when they involve life-limiting conditions. The study also describes the varying needs patients have—both in terms of information and emotional support—based on their health conditions, the healthcare settings in which they are treated and their motivations for seeking stem cell therapies.

The study also highlighted the value of healthcare professionals’ interpersonal skills and the role of other members of the healthcare team in supporting patient care.

Based on this review’s findings, Dr Leanne Rees is now interviewing Australian healthcare professionals across Royal Children’s Hospital and the broader community to better understand how they respond to patient and family enquiries about stem cell therapies.

The interdisciplinary team hopes that the findings will inform future strategies to better equip healthcare professionals when discussing not only stem cell therapies but also emerging health treatments more broadly. By improving communication, healthcare providers can offer more meaningful support to their patients.