How to Evaluate the Credibility of a Regenerative Medicine Provider

The rapid growth of the regenerative medicine industry has created a landscape where patients must exercise careful judgement when selecting a provider. Whilst many clinics operate to the highest medical standards, others fall short in areas of clinical governance, physician qualification, or treatment transparency. This guide provides a systematic framework for evaluating the credibility of any regenerative medicine provider, helping you make a safe and informed choice about where to receive treatment.

Why Credibility Assessment Matters

Regenerative medicine involves the introduction of biological materials, cells, growth factors, exosomes, or peptides, into your body. The quality of these materials, the expertise of the physician administering them, and the clinical environment in which treatment takes place all directly affect both safety and efficacy.

Unlike many pharmaceutical treatments, regenerative therapies are not uniformly regulated across all jurisdictions. This means the burden of due diligence falls more heavily on the patient than it might for conventional medical procedures. Taking the time to evaluate a provider thoroughly is one of the most important investments you can make in your health.

The consequences of choosing a poor provider range from wasted money on ineffective treatment to serious health risks from improperly processed biologics or incompetent administration. Conversely, choosing a credible, well-governed clinic maximises your chances of a safe, effective treatment experience.

Evaluating Physician Credentials

Medical Qualifications

The foundation of any credible regenerative medicine practice is the qualification of its physicians. At a minimum, the treating physician should hold a recognised medical degree (MD or equivalent) from an accredited institution. Beyond this, look for:

Specialist training in a relevant discipline, orthopaedics, sports medicine, rheumatology, internal medicine, or a related field. Board certification from a recognised medical body, which indicates that the physician has met rigorous professional standards. Additional training or certification specifically in regenerative medicine, demonstrating focused expertise in the therapies being offered. Membership of relevant professional societies, which suggests ongoing engagement with the professional community.

Clinical Experience

Ask about the physician’s specific experience with the treatment being proposed. How many procedures of this type have they performed? How long have they been practising regenerative medicine? What is their complication rate? What range of conditions do they treat?

A physician with extensive experience in your specific condition and treatment type is generally preferable to one who is relatively new to the field, even if the latter holds impressive general qualifications. Clinical experience builds pattern recognition and complication management skills that cannot be acquired from textbooks alone.

Academic and Research Activity

Physicians who are actively engaged in research, publishing, or teaching in the field of regenerative medicine are more likely to be up-to-date with the latest evidence and best practices. Whilst not all excellent clinicians are academics, a track record of scholarly activity is a positive indicator of intellectual rigour and commitment to the field.

Look for publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at medical conferences, or involvement in clinical trials. These activities suggest a physician who is contributing to the advancement of regenerative medicine, not simply applying it commercially.

Evaluating Clinical Governance

Facility Accreditation

The clinic should operate under the regulatory oversight of the relevant national medical authority. In Thailand, this means registration with the Thai Ministry of Public Health and compliance with Thai medical standards. Some clinics also hold international accreditation from bodies such as JCI (Joint Commission International), which provides an additional layer of quality assurance based on globally recognised standards.

Treatment Protocols and Standards

Ask about the clinic’s treatment protocols. Reputable providers will have documented, standardised protocols for each treatment they offer. These protocols should be evidence-based, subject to regular review and updating, and designed with patient safety as the primary consideration. Ask how often protocols are reviewed and how new evidence is incorporated into clinical practice.

Quality Control for Biologics

If the clinic uses stem cells, exosomes, or other biological products, ask about their sourcing, processing, quality testing, and storage procedures. Key questions include:

Where are the biological materials sourced, and what is the supply chain? Are they processed in-house or by a certified third-party laboratory with appropriate accreditation? What quality testing is performed on each batch before it is used in patients? How are materials stored and handled to ensure viability, sterility, and potency? Are certificates of analysis available for the products used, and are they willing to share these with patients?

Informed Consent Process

A credible clinic will have a thorough informed consent process that includes a detailed explanation of the proposed treatment, the rationale for recommending it, the expected benefits and realistic range of outcomes, the risks and potential side effects, alternative treatment options including non-treatment, and the total cost of treatment with no hidden charges.

This should be a genuine two-way discussion, not simply a form to be signed before payment is processed.

Red Flags to Watch For

The following are warning signs that should give you pause when evaluating any regenerative medicine provider:

Guaranteed Outcomes

No legitimate regenerative medicine provider can guarantee specific results. Biology is inherently variable, and outcomes depend on numerous individual factors. Any clinic that guarantees results, whether in person, in marketing materials, or on their website, is making a claim that cannot be substantiated and is fundamentally at odds with responsible medical practice.

Aggressive Marketing

Be cautious of clinics that rely heavily on emotional testimonials, before-and-after photos without clinical context, celebrity endorsements, or urgency-driven sales tactics (“limited slots available,” “book now before prices increase,” “special offer ends today”). These marketing approaches prioritise persuasion over education and transparency, and are more characteristic of commercial enterprises than medical practices.

One-Size-Fits-All Protocols

If every patient receives the same treatment regardless of their condition, diagnosis, severity, or individual health profile, this is a significant red flag. Regenerative medicine should be personalised based on individual clinical assessment. A clinic that offers identical protocols to all patients is not practising evidence-based medicine.

Reluctance to Discuss Evidence

A reputable physician should be willing and able to discuss the evidence base supporting the proposed treatment, including its limitations and the areas where evidence is still developing. If your questions about evidence are met with vague responses, deflection, dismissiveness, or claims that “our patients speak for themselves,” this is a cause for concern.

No Pre-Treatment Assessment

Treatment should never be offered without a thorough pre-treatment assessment, including medical history review, relevant imaging, and blood work. Any clinic that is willing to administer regenerative treatment without these basic evaluations is not operating to acceptable standards and is putting patients at unnecessary risk.

Pressure to Commit

A credible clinic will give you the time and space to make an informed decision. If you feel pressured to commit to treatment during your first interaction, whether in person, by phone, or online, consider this a warning sign. The decision to undergo regenerative treatment should be made thoughtfully, without time pressure.

Lack of Follow-Up Structure

Regenerative therapy does not end when the injection is administered or the infusion is completed. A credible provider will have a structured follow-up programme, including scheduled consultations, progress monitoring, rehabilitation guidance, and a clear pathway for addressing concerns. If follow-up care is not discussed, not offered, or treated as an optional extra, this suggests the clinic is focused on treatment delivery rather than patient outcomes.

Positive Indicators of Credibility

Conversely, the following characteristics suggest a provider is operating to high standards:

Transparent communication. The clinic is open about physician qualifications, treatment protocols, evidence base, risks, costs, and expected outcomes. Questions are welcomed and answered thoroughly.

Personalised assessment. Every patient receives a thorough, individualised clinical assessment before any treatment recommendation is made. The assessment informs the treatment plan, not the other way around.

Evidence-based practice. Treatment recommendations are grounded in published clinical evidence, and the physician can discuss relevant research openly, including areas of uncertainty.

Structured follow-up. A clear post-treatment monitoring programme is in place, including remote consultation options for international patients.

Willingness to say no. A credible clinic will decline to treat patients for whom the proposed therapy is unlikely to provide meaningful benefit. This willingness to turn away patients when treatment is not appropriate is one of the strongest indicators of integrity and ethical practice.

Published outcomes. Some clinics publish their outcome data or participate in registries that track patient results. Whilst not universal, this transparency is a strong positive indicator.

Conducting Your Own Research

Before committing to any provider, take the following steps:

Verify the physician’s qualifications through the relevant medical licensing authority in their jurisdiction. Search for published research or clinical contributions by the physician or the clinic in peer-reviewed databases. Look for independent reviews and patient accounts, not just those hosted on the clinic’s own website, which are inevitably curated. Ask for references from previous patients who have had similar treatments. Contact the clinic directly and assess the quality, transparency, and patience of their communication.

A Checklist for Provider Evaluation

To summarise, use this checklist when evaluating any regenerative medicine provider:

Are the physicians appropriately qualified and experienced in the specific treatment being proposed? Is the facility accredited and operating under regulatory oversight? Are treatment protocols evidence-based and personalised to individual patients? Are quality controls for biological materials clearly documented and verifiable? Is the informed consent process thorough and transparent? Are realistic expectations set without guarantees of specific outcomes? Is there a structured follow-up programme included in the treatment plan? Is the clinic willing to decline treatment when it is not appropriate? Are costs clearly outlined with no hidden fees or surprise charges? Does the clinic’s communication feel transparent, professional, and patient-centred?

If a provider satisfies all of these criteria, you can have reasonable confidence that you are in capable, ethical hands. If several criteria are unmet, consider whether the risk is justified or whether a more thorough search for an alternative provider is warranted.