Reports from Barcelona: ERN RARE-LIVER Clinical Exchange Programme
“My experience at the Hospital Clínic Barcelona as part of the ERN RARE-LIVER exchange programme was extremely enriching, both professionally and personally. During my two-week stay in September 2026, under the supervision of Dr. Maria Londoño, I had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the management of rare liver diseases at a highly specialised centre.
Throughout the exchange, I attended outpatient consultations involving patients with a wide range of rare liver conditions, including primary biliary cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, overlap syndromes, and other rare hepatic disorders. This experience allowed me to deepen my understanding of the diagnostic challenges, therapeutic approaches, and long-term follow-up of these complex conditions, while learning directly from internationally recognised experts in the field.
I also had the opportunity to participate in multidisciplinary clinical meetings, where complex cases were discussed and diagnostic and therapeutic decisions were made collaboratively. Additionally, I followed the daily activities of the liver transplantation ward, gaining a broader perspective on the management of patients undergoing liver transplantation and the importance of multidisciplinary care.
Beyond the clinical knowledge acquired, this exchange highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing between specialised European centres, particularly in the field of rare diseases, where expertise and experience are essential to providing the best possible patient care.
In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to ERN RARE-LIVER, Dr. Maria Londoño, and the entire Hepatology team at Hospital Clínic Barcelona for their warm welcome, generosity in sharing their expertise, and for making this such a valuable and memorable experience.”
André Coimbra Trigo, Hospital da Universidade de Coimbra/Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Portugal
To learn more about the ERN Clinical exchange programme, please visit the dedicated section on our website or contact the ERN RARE-LIVER office directly.