Interprofessional Forum: Session in Spanish:

Summary:

This session will introduce the key topics of the Interprofessional Forum at the EASL congress 2026 through the discussion of clinical cases. Conducted entirely in Spanish, the session will present cases on Hepatitis D, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), sarcopenia and MASLD. By outlining practical challenges and highlighting the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, the session will provide participants with a shared starting point before the in-depth congress programme.

Learning objectives:

•  To gain a concise overview of Hepatitis D, HCC, sarcopenia and MASLD through case-based discussion.
• To obtain a practical understanding of the main challenges associated with these conditions.
• To discuss the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in the assessment and management of different hepatology cases

Foro Interprofesional: Sesión en Castellano:

Resumen:

Esta sesión introducirá, a través de la discusión de casos clínicos, los temas principales que se abordarán durante el Foro Interprofesional en el congreso EASL 2026. La sesión, que se desarrollará íntegramente en español, presentará casos sobre hepatitis D, carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC), sarcopenia y MASLD. Mediante la exposición de desafíos prácticos y la puesta en valor de la colaboración interdisciplinar, la sesión ofrecerá a los participantes un punto de partida común antes de profundizar en los contenidos durante el resto del congreso.

Objetivos de aprendizaje:

• Obtener una visión clara de la hepatitis D, el CHC, la sarcopenia y el MASLD mediante la discusión de casos clínicos.
• Comprender de forma práctica los principales retos asociados a estas condiciones.
• Explorar cómo la colaboración interdisciplinar contribuye en la evaluación y el manejo de distintos casos de hepatología.

Interprofessional Forum: Practical tips for the interprofessional management of MASLD

Summary:

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common liver condition worldwide and a major cause for end-stage liver disease and liver transplantation. Although new drug therapies are emerging, lifestyle interventions remain the cornerstone of MASLD management. Weight loss, achieved through dietary modification and increased physical activity, plays a central role in treatment and to prevent disease progression.

This session will focus on evidence-based, practical recommendations to help clinicians explain to patients what MASLD is, why it matters for their health and how it affects their risk for other long-term conditions. We will cover strategies to support patients to make changes to their dietary patterns and physical activity levels. The session will also address the role of weight lowering medications in MASLD and the essential non-pharmacological support that should accompany these therapies. We will also consider how mental health conditions commonly seen in patients with MASLD (e.g. anxiety and depression) can influence a patient’s ability to make lifestyle-related changes.

Learning objectives:

• To improve the ability to communicate risk to patients with MASLD from both a liver and non-liver perspective.
• To understand the role of dietary modification in MASLD management and identify practical strategies to support patients in making changes.
• To understand the role of physical activity/exercise in MASLD management and identify practical strategies to support patients in making changes.
• To discuss the role and implementation of weight lowering medications in MASLD management.
• To discuss how management strategies may need to be adapted to consider concomitant mental health conditions.

Interprofessional Forum Meet-the-Experts: Hepatitis D treatment – sharing best practice and experiences

Summary:

For patients with Hepatitis B/D co-infection, Bulevirtide is the recommended therapy, either as monotherapy or in combination with pegIFNα. This complex treatment can pose significant challenges for patients. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in helping them build self-management skills, such as understanding their condition, making informed decisions, administering medication correctly, and integrating therapy into daily life. However, there is limited (long-term) experience on how best to support these patients.

In this session, a patient representative, an Advanced Practice Nurse and a physician will share insights and practical guidance to equip healthcare professionals with the tools needed to deliver optimal care for individuals with HBV/HDV co-infection. The discussion will focus on strategies and experiences for effectively supporting patients and their families throughout treatment.

Learning objectives:

• To understand the experiences of individuals living with HDV and navigating its treatment journey.

• To gain knowledge on self-management support for patients with HDV and their families, including the assessment of treatment readiness and maintenance, the identification of potential barriers, and the provision of behavioral support.

• To enhance the knowledge of HDV treatment guidelines and clinical management, including pathophysiology, therapies, side effects

• To identify the role of different healthcare professionals in providing comprehensive care for patients with HBV/HDV co-infection and fostering collaboration for optimal treatment outcomes.

Interprofessional Forum Meet-the-Experts: Interprofessional management of sarcopenia and frailty

Summary:

In this Meet the Experts Forum, we will discuss the importance of screening for sarcopenia and fraility in patients with liver disease. We will explore the challenges of assessing and managing sarcopenia and frailty from clinical, practical, and personal perspectives. Dr Lynsey Spillman (University of Plymouth, UK), a specialist liver dietitian, will discuss evidence-based and practical approaches to assessing sarcopenia and improving nutritional status. Dr Felicity Williams (University of Birmingham, UK), a specialist liver physiotherapist, will discuss evidence-based and practical approaches to assessing frailty and physical function and practical approaches to maintain/improve physical fitness in patients with liver disease. Together they will discuss how sarcopenia and frailty management can be optimised through interprofessional working. A patient advocate from the European Liver Patients’ Association (ELPA – XXX) will share their personal experience of living with sarcopenia and frailty, highlighting challenges and successes encountered throughout their management journey.

Learning objectives:

• To understand why screening for sarcopenia and frailty is important in the context of liver disease

• To discuss different methods of screening for sarcopenia and frailty useful in clinical practice

• To discuss evidence-based management approaches for sarcopenia and frailty

• To gain insight into the impact of sarcopenia and frailty from a patient perspective

• To identify patient-reported challenges and discuss how the healthcare system could better support individuals living with sarcopenia and frailty

Interprofessional Forum – Fatigue: A multiprofessional approach

Summary:

Fatigue is a common and distressing symptom among people with liver disease, yet it remains under-recognised and poorly managed. Its multifactorial nature requires an interprofessional approach that integrates medical, rehabilitative, and patient- and family centered perspectives.

This session aims to: enhance understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms behind fatigue; improve assessment and management strategies; and strengthen the interprofessional collaboration in clinical practice. Practical strategies for management will be discussed, including optimisation of nutrition, exercise, and rehabilitation. Furthermore, approaches to patient communication, self-management support, and integrated care.

This session aims to: enhance understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms behind fatigue; improve assessment and management strategies; and strengthen the interprofessional collaboration in clinical practice. Practical strategies for management will be discussed, including optimization of nutrition, exercise, and rehabilitation. Furthermore, approaches to patient communication, self-management support, and integrated care.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Define key mechanisms and clinical correlates of fatigue in people with liver disease.

• Recognise how fatigue affects daily life and functioning.

• Identify practical tools and approaches for assessing and managing fatigue in clinical care.

• Integrate interprofessional perspectives to improve recognition and management of fatigue in clinical practice.

Managing HCC: Key Do’s and Don’ts

Summary:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death. It often coexists with cirrhosis, adding significant complexity to patient management. This dual burden of cancer and liver disease requires comprehensive assessment, appropriate treatment selection, and careful management to improve clinical outcomes. High-quality care relies on collaboration among multiple healthcare professionals, making a multidisciplinary approach essential. Through this collaborative effort, specific interventions can be implemented to support optimal patient care and improve outcomes.

Learning objectives:

• To gain an awareness of the importance of multidisciplinary approach in HCC management.
• To obtain an overview of how the different healthcare professionals’ perspectives contribute to effective patient care.
• To identify key do’s and don’ts in HCC management to improve patient outcomes.