The Level of Awareness Among ENT Clinicians About the Studies of Stem Cells in Turkey Address for correspondence: Ahmet Hamdi Kepekci, MD. Istanbul Yeni Yuzyıl Universitesi, Saglik Meslek Lisesi, Odyometri Anabilim Dali, Istanbul; Meltem Hastanesi, Kulak Burun Bogaz Anabilim Dali, Istanbul, Turkey Phone: +90 212 644 22 00 E-mail: ahmethamdi.kepekci@yeniyuzyil.edu.tr Submitted Date: February 01, 2019 Accepted Date: May 16, 2019 Available Online Date: September 30, 2019 © Copyright 2019 by Eurasian Journal of Medicine and Investigation - Available online at www.ejmi.org OPEN ACCESS This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. S tem cells play important roles in homeostasis, and tis- sue repair helps to their self-renewal and diferentiation capacity. [1, 2] Use of stem cells in clinical practice has begun half a century ago with the transplantation of hematopoi- etic stem cells to replace defective elements of the hemato- poietic systems. [3] Then the derivation of hESC line from hu- man blastocysts in 1998 by Thomson JA et al. have drawn attention to the potential use of stem cells in regenerative medicine. [4, 5] These developments encouraged research- ers to employ this technique in other clinical areas such as cardiology, orthopedics, dermatology, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, and aesthetical surgical applications. [3, 6] Recently, stem cells therapy has also gained attention in the area of otolaryngology. [7] Otolaryngology is a surgical sub- specialty which studies the conditions of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and related structures of the head and neck. Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery are also covered under this branch in addition to otology, neurotology, rhi- nology, pediatric otorhinolaryngology, and laryngology. The Objectives: Using stem cells in clinical practices began half a century ago by the hematopoietic stem cells transplantation. Recently stem cells are used instead of hearing aids usage and surgical interventions in the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) area. This study aimed to determine the approaches (knowledge) of ENT physicians in Turkey about the stem cells research. Methods: We have made a questionnaire about stem cells research and the clinical use of stem cells therapies with 122 ENT clinicians who work in Turkey. Firstly, we checked the knowledge level on the stem cells research then measured the willingness to attend any educational courses on stem cells research according to ENT experience. Results: Unapproved stem cells applications in clinical practices are described as risky by %88 of attendants. Still, most of the clinicians (64%) thinks regenerative stem cells technologies will be available to use in ENT clinics within the next decade. Indeed, they agree government should invest more (92%), support hospitals (86%) and scientists about stem cells because of stem cells therapies reduce recovery time of patients and hospital labors (78%). 65% of attendants have not advised their patients about stem cells storage banks yet. However, 83% of clinicians want to participate in a congress, a workshop about stem cells therapy to improve their knowledge level about it. Conclusion: The professional organizations should encourage physicians to conduct training activities about stem cells therapy. Therefore, interdisciplinary meetings, education, and discussing the possible uses of stem cells technolo- gies in clinical applications can stimulate interest amongst ENT clinicians. Keywords: Awareness, ENT clinicians, stem cells Ahmet Hamdi Kepekci Department of Audiometry, Istanbul Yeni Yuzyil University, Vocational Health High School, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Otolaryngology, Meltem Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey Abstract DOI: 10.14744/ejmi.2019.22027 EJMI 2019;3(4):310–314 Research Article Cite This Article: Kepekci AH. The Level of Awareness Among ENT Clinicians About the Studies of Stem Cells in Turkey. EJMI 2019;3(4):310–314.