After launching our new ACADEMY this year we will have our next ERN RARE-LIVER ACADEMY on the 14 + 15 March 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The theme of the academy is ‘Growing up with liver disease’ and will focus on liver diseases typically diagnosed in childhood and the challenges around adolescence including transition from paediatric to adult services. We are looking for paediatric and adult hepatologists who are interested in joining an enthusiastic multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals including patient experts for an interactive and stimulating workshop in Copenhagen.

The organisers of this next Academy are Marianne Hørby-Jørgensen, paediatric hepatologist from Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Marianne Samyn, paediatric hepatologist from King’s College Hospital in London, UK.

ERN RARE-LIVER offers up to 20 places to young fellows in the field of paediatric and adult hepatology in rare liver diseases. The program and accommodation are covered by the ERN and travel costs are reimbursed under the EU unit cost decision.

Reasons to attend: Young people with childhood liver disease are now surviving into adulthood and are an emerging population for adult hepatologists and allied health professionals. Adolescence is known to continue into the mid-20s and is associated with challenges including risk-taking behaviors, mental health problems and non-adherence to treatment known to be associated with inferior outcomes. 

The course will address the following topics using an inverted classroom model and with input from local experts on all topics:

• Long-term outcome of typical childhood liver diseases and paediatric liver transplantation
• The psychosocial challenges associated with adolescence include mental health, adherence to treatment and substance use
• Models of provision of multidisciplinary care for young people with liver disease
• Interactive discussion with expert patients

The ERN ACADEMY is a unique opportunity to highlight the need for dedicated adolescent care to improve the patient outcomes.

In addition, it provides a unique platform for paediatric and adult specialists including allied health care professionals to come together and collaborate. Finally, involving expert patients gives the opportunity for delegates to hear directly from and interact with patients. 

If you are interested, please send us:

• CV and list of publications
• Letter of motivation
• Letter of recommendation from an ERN member centre

The application period has started and will end on 15 December 2023.