From Knowledge to Dialogue: Mastering Serious Illness Communication Across the Hepatology Workforce

Nov 07 2026
Convention Center: Mile High Ballroom 2B-3B
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
CE Credits CE Credits

World Class Speakers

Arpan Patel

Chair
Arpan Patel, MD PhD

Amar D Bansal

Presenter
Amar D Bansal, MD

Cristal Brown

Presenter
Cristal Brown, MD

Seren M Gedallovich

Presenter
Seren M Gedallovich, MD

Peter Salam Beah

Presenter
Peter Salam Beah, MD

Claudio Tombazzi

Presenter
Claudio Tombazzi, MD

Lisa X Deng

Presenter
Lisa X Deng, MD

Lindsay A Dow

Panelist
LD

Christopher Woodrell

Moderator
Christopher Woodrell, MD

Nneka Ufere

Moderator
Nneka Ufere, MD MSCE

Description

Effective communication is a core component of hepatology care. Yet teams may struggle with complex conversations about prognosis, goals of care, and end-of-life planning. This workshop provides advanced training for clinicians across the hepatology workforce (trainees, advance practice practitioners, physicians) in communicating with adults with serious illnesses affecting the liver (decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma) and their caregivers. 

This workshop integrates focused didactics with small group, simulated encounters. Participants break into small groups and review standardized patient cases that build progressively on core skills: delivering serious news, responding to emotion, managing uncertainty, and eliciting goals and values. Facilitators with expertise in palliative care, hepatology, and medical education provide real-time, supportive feedback to help participants translate communication techniques into practice.

Presentations

8:00 AM - 8:20 AM
Convention Center - Mile High Ballroom 2B-3B

The First Step: Overview and Core Communication Skills That Shape Understanding and Small Group Practice

Amar D Bansal, MD | Presenter
8:20 AM - 8:35 AM
Convention Center - Mile High Ballroom 2B-3B

From Facts to Feelings: How to Share Prognosis and Support Emotion

Cristal Brown, MD | Presenter
9:05 AM - 9:20 AM
Convention Center - Mile High Ballroom 2B-3B

From Uncertainty to Alignment: Conversations That Clarify Goals and Priorities

Claudio Tombazzi, MD | Presenter
9:20 AM - 9:30 AM
Convention Center - Mile High Ballroom 2B-3B

Large Group Debrief

Lisa X Deng, MD | Presenter

Objectives

  • List key phrases that can be used to help with discussing prognosis and responding to emotions during challenging conversations.
  • Practice communication skills through experiential learning by deliberate practice with simulated patient encounters.
  • Discuss how clinicians can apply learned serious illness communication skills in their practice.

Copyright © 2026 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases

AASLD 2026