Transplant Hepatology

The Discipline

Transplant hepatology represents advanced training in gastroenterology and focuses on the management of advanced liver disease. Training provides a comprehensive understanding of hepatopathology and diagnostic techniques needed to evaluate and manage potential liver transplant patients. Transplant hepatologists also manage transplant patients both before and after transplantation, and therefore have expertise in managing issues such as immunosuppression and transplant-associated infectious diseases.

Transplant hepatologists typically practice in gastroenterology group practices and in medical institutions where liver transplantation is offered.

Training

Transplant hepatology training involves one year of additional clinical training after completion of both a basic residency in internal medicine and fellowship training in gastroenterology. The American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics jointly administer the Transplant hepatology certification Program; following completion, internists are eligible for certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Training Positions

In the 2018-2019 academic year, there are 52 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited training programs in transplant hepatology with 53 trainees. There are 15 ACGME-accredited training programs in pediatric transplant hepatology with 11 trainees.

Major Professional Societies

• American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
• International Liver Transplantation Society

Back to the February 2019 issue of ACP IMpact