Who Should Deliver Palliative Care in Liver Disease? Chris Woodrell, Manisha Verma, Marie Bakitas

Who Should Deliver Palliative Care in Liver Disease? Chris Woodrell, Manisha Verma, Marie Bakitas

Author: Alex Smith, Eric Widera July 2, 2026 Duration: 50:08

Who's better at delivering palliative care to patients with liver disease: palliative care specialists, or hepatologists who have received liver disease-specific palliative care training? 

That's the question we take a deep dive into on this week's podcast by breaking down the PAL-LIVER trial, published this year in JAMA Internal Medicine. We've invited three of the trial's authors, Manisha Verma, Chris Woodrell, and Marie Bakitas, to discuss this cluster-randomized clinical trial spanning 19 U.S. medical centers.

We'll discuss:

  • Why was this trial done?

  • Do we really need to run a separate palliative care trial for every single organ disease?

  • What kind of specialized palliative care training did the hepatologists receive?

  • What exactly is meant by the finding that hepatologists were not statistically superior, but were shown to be statistically non-inferior?

Lastly, we discuss whether these results change anyone's practice, and whether healthcare systems should decide which type of palliative care model to fund (primary vs. specialty.)

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References we discussed

 

 


Hosted by UCSF physicians Alex Smith and Eric Widera, GeriPal-A Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Podcast creates a vital space for conversation at the intersection of aging and serious illness care. This isn't a dry lecture series; it's a dynamic dialogue where Eric and Alex bring on leading experts to unpack the complexities of geriatric and palliative medicine. They delve into the latest research that should change practice, tackle the ethical dilemmas that provoke debate, and explore the nuanced clinical challenges that professionals face daily. The tone is engaging and often surprisingly lighthearted, with moments of humor and even the occasional song, making profound topics more accessible. Whether you're a clinician, nurse, social worker, or any professional dedicated to this field, this podcast offers a blend of evidence-based insights and practical wisdom you can use. It’s a resource that acknowledges the weight of the work while fostering connection and continued learning. For those seeking formal education credits, AMA PRA Category 1 CME and MOC credit are also available through the show. Tune in to join a community committed to improving care for older adults and those with serious illness.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

GeriPal - A Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Podcast
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