This course is designed for clinicians at an intermediate level within general practice, who record patient details within the NHS, who will be providing face-to-face care as part of their role within the UK. The aim of this training is for the learner to be knowledgeable regarding liver disease in Primary Care, being able to confidently identify risks and manage their medication.
Liver Disease in Primary Care
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- Average time to complete: 3 hours
- 100% online
- Downloadable resources included
- Free CPD-accredited certificate to evidence professional development
The liver plays a central role in metabolism, medicine processing and many other essential bodily functions. When liver function becomes impaired, the effects can influence clinical presentation, blood results and the way medicines are absorbed, metabolised and eliminated.
This CPD-accredited liver disease in primary care course is set at an intermediate level, and is designed for UK clinicians who want to strengthen their understanding of recognising and assessing liver disease, interpreting liver function tests and managing medicines safely in patients with hepatic impairment.
Why this course matters
- Liver disease may produce few or non-specific symptoms until significant damage has occurred
- Abnormal liver blood tests need to be understood in the context of the patient rather than considered in isolation
- Hepatic impairment can significantly alter the way medicines behave within the body
- Some medicines can cause or worsen liver injury, making medication review an important part of patient care
- Recognising signs of deterioration and complications can support timely investigation, monitoring and referral
- Greater knowledge of liver function can support safer prescribing and medicines management in primary care
What you will learn
- The basic anatomy, physiology and functions of the liver
- Common signs and symptoms that may indicate liver disease or hepatic impairment
- How liver blood tests contribute to the assessment and monitoring of liver function
- How the liver metabolises medicines and how liver disease can affect drug handling
- The principles of medication management, hepatotoxicity and prescribing in liver impairment
- How clinical findings, blood results and medicines considerations come together when managing patients in primary care
Who this course is for
This online liver disease training course is designed for UK primary care clinicians with an existing understanding of medicines, including:
- GPs and GP trainees
- Clinical pharmacists and prescribing pharmacists
- Advanced clinical and nurse practitioners
- Practice nurses and nurse prescribers
- Other prescribing clinicians working in general practice
- Healthcare professionals involved in reviewing or monitoring patients with liver disease
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the main functions of the liver and its role in drug metabolism
- Recognise clinical signs and symptoms associated with liver disease
- Explain the purpose of common liver blood tests and what abnormal results may indicate
- Describe how hepatic impairment can alter drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
- Identify important considerations when reviewing medicines in people with liver disease
- Apply key principles of safer prescribing, monitoring and escalation within primary care
Full course description
Understanding liver function and liver disease
A grounding in liver anatomy and physiology provides context for the rest of the course, including the liver’s role in metabolism, bile production, glucose regulation, nutrient storage and the processing of medicines and toxins.
From there, the course turns to the signs and symptoms that may indicate liver disease or its complications, helping learners connect changes in liver function with what they may encounter in clinical practice.
Assessing liver function in primary care
Liver blood tests form a significant part of the training. Learners examine markers including bilirubin, albumin and commonly measured liver enzymes, alongside clotting and other investigations used when assessing hepatic impairment.
Rather than simply learning individual values, the emphasis is on understanding what different patterns may suggest and how blood results contribute to the wider assessment and monitoring of a patient. The course also introduces relevant liver disease scoring approaches.
Drug metabolism and hepatic impairment
Because the liver is central to drug metabolism, impaired liver function can change the way medicines are absorbed, distributed, metabolised and eliminated. The course explores these relationships and introduces the role of liver enzymes and the different phases of drug metabolism.
It also considers drug-induced liver injury, medicines that may require additional caution and the factors that can increase the risk of medication-related problems in people with liver disease.
Medicines management and prescribing considerations
The latter part of the course brings liver function and pharmacology together through practical medicines-management considerations. Learners explore medications associated with common complications of liver disease, treatment monitoring and some of the principles that should inform prescribing or medication review where hepatic function is impaired.
This includes recognising that liver disease can alter both medicine effectiveness and the likelihood of adverse effects, making individual assessment and appropriate monitoring particularly important.
Assessment and certification
At the end of the course, you will complete an assessment to demonstrate your understanding of the topics covered. You will need to achieve a result of 80% or higher to pass.
On successful completion, you will receive a free CPD-accredited certificate, which can be downloaded or printed as evidence of your professional development.
Professional responsibility and scope
- This course supports clinical knowledge and understanding but does not, by itself, confirm competence to diagnose liver disease, interpret results or prescribe independently.
- Competency should be assessed within your workplace
- Practice should align with local protocols, current guidance, and professional standards
- You are responsible for applying learning appropriately within your role
- Prescribing and medication decisions should only be undertaken by appropriately qualified professionals
- Clinical concerns and abnormal findings should be escalated appropriately
Average time to complete
Approximately 3 hours, depending on your prior knowledge and experience. The course is fully self-paced, allowing you to complete it in stages. You can revisit any sections that you’re unsure of.
Course Content
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I buy this course for someone else?
Yes. To do this, register using their email address and the name they would like to appear on their certificate.
For example, you might know them as Kate, but they may need their certificate issued in their full birth name, Katherine. It’s best to check these details with them first.
Once the purchase is complete, they will receive the automatic course link by email.
Can I complete the course in my own time, and how long do I have to access it?
All of our online courses are self-paced, so you can complete them at a time that suits you. Your progress is saved at the end of each lesson, allowing you to return and continue later.
You will have six months from the date of enrolment to complete the course. After six months, the course will no longer be available.
Some courses, such as Basic Life Support, must be completed annually by clinical staff. A new course will therefore need to be purchased each year to ensure the training reflects the most up-to-date guidance.
Can I access the training material after completing the course?
Yes. The course materials are available to download during your access period, so you can keep a copy for future reference. Your course access will remain active for six months from the date of enrolment, after which the course will no longer be available.
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept card payments via Stripe. You can pay using a debit or credit card (such as Visa or Mastercard).
When will I get my certificate?
As soon as you have passed the end-of-course assessment and achieved the required pass rate of 80% or more, your certificate will be available to download from the top of the course page.
Do you offer refunds if I no longer need the course?
Refunds may be available if you have not logged into your account.
Once you have logged in, you will have access to the course materials and downloadable content, and a refund will no longer be possible.
What should I do if I can't log into my account?
When registering, please make sure you enter the correct email address, as login issues are often caused by an incorrect email being used. It can help to copy and paste your email address to avoid mistakes.
If you are unable to log in, click ‘Forgotten password’ and follow the instructions to reset your password via the email link sent to you.
If you continue to experience issues, please contact GPHA-training@gphealthcarealliance.co.uk and we will endeavour to respond within two working weeks.
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