Liver Transplant Partner Program

Liver transplantation is the ultimate treatment for end stage liver disease and liver cancer. Each year, approximately six thousand liver transplants are performed in the United States, with 75 to 100 liver transplants occurring annually at the University of Washington of Medical Center (UWMC). The UWMC transplant program serves the states of Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. While the transplant surgery itself, and the immediate pre and post-transplant care, occur at our center, much of the medical care of our liver transplant patients is provided by local gastroenterologists and hepatologists. With an ever expanding quantity of scientific publications dedicated to the subject of transplant medicine, keeping up-to-date with advances in this highly specialized field can be a difficult task, and educational opportunities beyond involvement with specialty societies and informal consults with colleagues are needed in order to help deliver state-of-the-art care to liver patients.

Course Description

This program is a 4-day hands-on, interactive experience designed to educate practicing gastroenterologists and hepatologists regarding all aspects of liver transplant care. This includes participation in transplant rounds, multiple medical and surgical clinics, various transplant-related conferences, and observation of procedures, including ERCPs and, potentially, liver transplants. Physicians will use this knowledge to better care for their patients with liver disease, including those who are awaiting or have received a liver transplant.

Attendees of this program will have exposure to and interaction with experts in the fields of transplant hepatology, transplant surgery, transplant pharmacy, and transplant infectious disease, as well as pathologists and radiologists, allowing participants to expand and update their knowledge base in a clinically relevant manner.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for medical providers only, including gastroenterologists, hepatologists, ARNP’s, and PA-C’s with an interest in transplant medicine and who care for a large volume of liver patients as part of their practice.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, attendees should be able to:

• Describe the medical and surgical criteria for liver transplant candidacy.
• Discuss important aspects of inpatient management of patients who are status post liver transplant.
• Discuss and recommend current treatment options for patients with liver cancer.
• Discuss long term complications of Liver transplantation, including immunotherapy management.
• Describe the more common post-transplant pathology findings in patients with abnormal graft function.
• Describe biliary complications that can occur following liver transplantation and the typical endoscopic management.

CME Accreditation

The University of Washington School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Washington School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 32.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.