Conscience imperative of providing information and knowledge in hepatology: The Portuguese approach

The last 25 years have been a thrilling time for the Portuguese hepatologists. Our national meetings have been providing the forum for the exchange of scientific ideas and the presentation of clinical research in clinical Hepatology, a growing world of knowledge in medical care. Bridging the gaps between technology and clinical daily practice, the latest development and the almost humble bedside care, has been a challenge for the increasing numbers of doctors devoted to the diagnostic and treatment of liver disease. We have been trying to be very persuasive among the Portuguese medical community in demonstrating that cultural vectors may influence the origin and pattern of liver disease among us. Viral hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease are paradigms of this assumption. Chronic liver disease is responsible for 3% of the deaths in Portugal, which accounts for the top ten causes of death in our country. The recognition by public health authorities of this fact along with the national net of hepatology outpatient consultation in public hospitals, has brought liver diseases under the lights of doctors concerns and an increased public awareness of its dimension.