Allergology

The Allergology Unit has been training residents since 1982, and is where most heads of allergology divisions in Catalonia did their training.

We attend to outpatients regarding allergic respiratory disease, paying special attention to asthma, complex food allergies, hymenoptera allergies, chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and drug allergies.

The Day Hospital carries out controlled drug exposure tests and chemotherapy and other drug desensitization therapies. The paediatric unit carries out food desensitization therapies. We also deal with hospital consultations on a daily basis.

The unit carries out clinical research  in the fields of  anaphylaxis, hereditary angioedema, food allergies  and  chronic urticaria. In terms of  experimental research , we offer the opportunity to carry out specific immunoglobulin E and G tests by biochip, and  basophil activation tests. Five doctoral theses have been supervised by the Unit and all its staff physicians are qualified Doctors of Medicine.

Why specialise at Vall d’Hebron?

• Because we are a tertiary hospital with outstanding departments. The number of patients who pass through the centre offers great potential for learning and gaining experience.
• Because we cover most specialisations and you will have the opportunity to see complex pathology and to use cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and treatments.
• Because our training programme can adapt to the initiative and vocation of each resident, with more emphasis on patient-contact or research according to their needs.
• Because you will have the opportunity to see complex pathology and use cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies, the application of drug desensitization protocols and the management of hereditary angioedema.
• Because you will have the opportunity to present papers at national and European allergy conferences. At the most recent events we received awards for the best paper in several areas.
• Because we give fourth year residents contacts to assist with research and stays abroad. In recent years our residents have spent time in clinical allergy units in Rome and Montpellier, and in research centres such as the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. All fourth year residents are offered funding for the European Examination in Allergology and Clinical Immunology, which 85% of our residents have successfully passed to date.
• Because your knowledge will be continuously updated through a programme of specialised, literature and clinical sessions, which take place four days a week.
• Because in 2010 the Allergology Teaching Unit was assessed by the Allergology Department of the European Union of Medical Specialists, who accredited it as a Specialised Allergy and Immunology Training Unit.