Team Of Scientists Research Articles

Revisiting the Freshwater Imperative: Harnessing Team Science to Face Emerging Challenges to Freshwaters

Revisiting the Freshwater Imperative: Harnessing Team Science to Face Emerging Challenges to Freshwaters

Perspectives on U.S. University research reactor policy

Abstract Widely promoted by the Atomic Energy Commission in the 1950s and 1960s, university research reactors allowed faculty to experiment with neutron scattering, advancing our understanding of organic and inorganic materials. These advances led to innovations in commercial products, including automobiles, computers, medicine, and batteries. However, since the 1980s, more than half of all the university research reactors have been decommissioned and remaining reactors are ill-suited for modern needs. RTI International assembled a team of economists, neutron scientists, and policy analysts to examine the history of university research reactor policy in the USA, assess barriers to greater usage, and consider how US policy differs from those in other countries. We present three policy options to enhance the role of university research reactors in federal research and the national science infrastructure landscape.

O-211 Exploring risk factors of mismatch in the ART laboratory: An analysis based on 73719 electronic witnessing points

Abstract Study question What are the risk factors associated with mismatch (MM) and genuine mismatch (GMM) in the ART laboratory? Summary answer MM is associated with individual operators, oocyte denudation (OD) and embryo transfer (ET) processes, while GMM related to OD and extended work hours (>4pm). What is known already Mix-up of gametes or embryos in the ART laboratory causes dramatic consequences to both the patients and clinics. Recent studies using electronic witnessing system (EWS) equipped with radio frequency ID (RFID) tags, have revealed that most MM events only involved empty cell culture vessels, while the true mix-up risk arose from a subgroup of GMM involving culture vessels carrying gametes or embryos belonging to different patients. Exploration of risk factors associated with MM and GMM occurrence, separately, is still currently lacking in the literature. Study design, size, duration A total of 73719 witnessing points were retrospectively extracted from an EWS database, representing 11210 consecutive treatment cycles performed at Fertility North between January 2016 and July 2023. The 11210 treatment cycles comprised 5472 fresh IVF, 3732 frozen embryo transfer, 93 oocyte freeze, and 1913 intrauterine insemination cycles. Participants/materials, setting, methods All laboratory work areas were equipped with RFID readers. A MM was triggered by detection of RFID tagged cell culture vessels (either carrying biological material or not) and/or ID cards that belong to different patients in the same work area. A GMM was defined when a MM had involved biological materials and/or patients during procedure, with a potential mix-up. Risk factors evaluated included time of the day, weekdays, weekend, public holiday, operators, and laboratory processes. Main results and the role of chance A total of 138 (0.19%) MMs and 16 (0.02%) GMMs were identified during the study period, without actual mix-up. MM rate was the highest during 12-2pm (0.28%, p < 0.001) compared to other periods of the day, whilst GMM was the highest after 4pm (0.13%, p = 0.004). Neither MM nor GMM was associated with any specific weekday, weekend or public holiday (p > 0.05, respectively). Amongst 8 laboratory processes investigated, ET (0.36%, p < 0.001) led to the highest MM rate, followed by OD (0.35%, p = 0.021), but no increase was observed in oocyte collection, sperm preparation, insemination, embryo culture, cryopreservation and Assign ID. OD was the only process associated with higher GMM (0.13%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, Two of the 20 assessed operators were identified to produce more MMs (0.59%, p < 0.001, and 0.40%, p = 0.004; respectively) while GMM rates were similar among all operators (p > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the OD (adjusted odds ratio or aOR=2.147, p = 0.011) and ET (aOR=2.118, p < 0.001) processes as well as 2 individual operators (aOR=3.511, p < 0.001; aOR=2.538, p = 0.002; respectively) were independent risk factors to MM, but not the 12-2pm period of the day (aOR=1.341, p > 0.05). Finally, both extended work hours beyond 4pm (aOR=8.651, p = 0.005) and OD (aOR=9.538, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors to GMM. Limitations, reasons for caution Each individual ART laboratory has a unique team of scientists and workflow arrangement so findings in our study may not be universally applicable. GMM occurs at an extremely low frequency and is often calculated based on large numbers, therefore caution ought to be taken at statistical interpretation of data. Wider implications of the findings GMMs should be separated from MMs for analysis considering the very different clinical implications. Sufficient staffing with regular break and streamlined workflow are highlighted in preventing mix-up in the ART laboratory. Using electronically logged data, EWS enables identification of site-specific risk factors, which facilitates the development of corresponding preventative protocols. Trial registration number not applicable

Utilizing rapid qualitative assessment and thematic analysis methods to identify and share promising case investigation and contact tracing practices with people in refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities during COVID-19.

In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants (NRC-RIM) was established. NRC-RIM initially sought to rapidly identify promising case investigation and contact tracing (CICT) practices within refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities. Between September 2020 and April 2021, the team conducted 60 interviews with individuals from cross-sector organizations (i.e., public health, health systems, community experts/organizations) working with refugee, immigrant and migrant communities in health and public health capacities related to COVID-19. The overarching aim was to identify and amplify innovative promising and best practices for CICT with refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities, including an exploration of barriers and facilitators. We utilized layered methods to rapidly assess, summarize and disseminate promising practices while simultaneously completing four thematic analyses including: (1) public health organizations; (2) health system organizations; (3) community leaders and organizations; and (4) vaccine planning and access across the three sectors. The primary objective of this article is to describe the project design, applied methods, and team science approach we utilized. We found that rapid identification and dissemination of promising practices, and barriers and facilitators for CICT with refugee, immigrant and migrant communities was feasible during a public health emergency. This approach was essential for identifying and widely sharing culturally and linguistically concordant public health practices.

The Undiagnosed Diseases Network: Characteristics of solvable applicants and diagnostic suggestions for nonaccepted ones

PurposeCan certain characteristics identify as solvable some undiagnosed patients who seek extensive evaluation and thorough record review, such as by the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN)? MethodsThe UDN is a national research resource to solve medical mysteries through team science. Applicants provide informed consent to access to their medical records. After review, expert panels assess if applicants meet inclusion and exclusion criteria to select participants. When not accepting applicants, UDN experts may offer suggestions for diagnostic efforts. Using minimal information from initial applications, we compare features in applicants who are not accepted with those who are accepted and either solved or still not solved by the UDN. The diagnostic suggestions offered to nonaccepted applicants and their clinicians were tallied. ResultsNonaccepted applicants were more often female, older at first symptoms and application, and longer in review compared with accepted applicants. The accepted and successfully diagnosed applicants were younger, shorter in review time, more often non-White, of Hispanic ethnicity, and presenting with nervous system features. Half of nonaccepted applicants were given suggestions for further local diagnostic evaluation. A few seemed to have 2 major diagnoses or a provocative environmental exposure history. ConclusionComprehensive UDN record review generates possibly helpful advice.

BLACK HOLE CINEMA: APPLICATION OF SYSTEMS ENGINEERING METHODS TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE AN EARTH‐SIZED TELESCOPE

AbstractThe Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is an array of radio telescopes around the world that uses the technique of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) to create a virtual Earth‐sized telescope. Using this technique, the EHT released the first image of a black hole on April 10, 2019, accelerating black hole science and creating enormous public impact. Now, a team of scientists and engineers is looking ahead to the next horizon: movies of black holes. In this paper, we give an overview of how the next‐generation EHT (ngEHT) Project has adopted a systems engineering approach to the design of future improvements to the EHT array, developing clear traceability from community‐defined key science goals. Scheduling, operations, site selection, observing bandwidth, data transport, and data management are some of the many factors that require careful consideration and balance and therefore benefit from intentional systems engineering methods underpinned by a “single source of truth” system model.

Implementation science: why should we care?

There is a 17-year gap between the publication of research which proves an intervention is efficacious and effective and the implementation of that same intervention into practice [1]. In behavioral health, only 14% of successful interventions are integrated into actual practice [2]. As such, Implementation Science is envisioned to address the research to practice gap. This research methodology becomes important as it looks to investigate how to get interventions to become embedded in practice and de-implement unproven or disproven interventions that may be harmful and/or ineffective for patients. The aim of this commentary is to raise awareness of health sciences librarians/information specialists about this research arena and encourage health sciences librarians to envision how they could be involved in implementation science projects and teams or even use implementation science in their practice.

A social science: Using psychoneuroimmunology principles to promote career longevity, productivity, and meaning

Over the past several decades, psychoneuroimmunologists have uncovered key principles (e.g., social support and stress management) that can inform future research content and conduct. That is, psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) can inform how scientists from all disciplines engage in the scientific method in a more sustainable manner. Dr. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, a PNI pioneer, recently ended her long and celebrated career. Her unique engagement in the scientific method, including her mentorship style, is worthy of closer examination. As her final graduate student, I observed Dr. Kiecolt-Glaser's science and mentorship style at their full maturity. Her scientific content, remarkable in its own right, is the subject of commentaries and accolades; yet, her scientific conduct – the foundation of her success and innovation – deserves further consideration. This article outlines ten research conduct principles that Dr. Kiecolt-Glaser explicitly and implicitly taught: (1) applying the literature to one's own health behaviors; (2) knowing and remembering “the why” behind the science; (3) developing and adhering to a vision; (4) creating a streamlined workflow; (5) embracing team science; (6) pursuing depth and breadth; (7) communicating ideas clearly; (8) engaging in a daily rhythm of science; (9) treating trainees like future primary investigators; and (10) working toward clinical meaningfulness. These principles correspond to PNI findings and account for her health and longevity as a scientist.

Virtual Clinical Trials - Implications of Computer Simulations and Artificial Intelligence for Musculoskeletal Research.

In silico clinical trials, particularly when augmented with artificial intelligence methods, represent an innovative approach with much to offer, particularly in the musculoskeletal field. They are a cost-effective, efficient, and ethical means of evaluating treatments and interventions by supplementing and/or augmenting traditional randomized controlled trials (RCTs). While they are not a panacea and should not replace traditional RCTs, their integration into the research process promises to accelerate medical advancements and improve patient outcomes. To accomplish this, a multidisciplinary approach is needed, and collaboration is instrumental. With advances in computing and analytical prowess, and by adhering to the tenets of team science, realization of such a novel integrative approach toward clinical trials may not be far from providing far-reaching contributions to medical research. As such, by harnessing the power of in silico clinical trials, investigators can potentially unlock new possibilities in treatment and intervention for ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

Synthesis methods of 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones: review

1,2,4-Triazole-containing compounds are unique heterocyclic compounds present in an array of pharmaceuticals and biologically important compounds used in drug-discovery studies against cancer cells, microbes, and various types of diseases in the human body. The aim of the study was to analyze in detail and combine the available literature materials to study the reactions associated with the formation of different classes of derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione and to study their physical-chemical properties. Various innovative methods have been proposed and explored for synthesizing different classes of 1,2,4-triazole compounds, each with distinct applications and potential medicinal benefits. When analyzing the outcomes of studies aimed at obtaining new 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones, it’s crucial to recognize the multiple stages involved in their synthesis. These stages typically include the esterification of carboxylic acids, hydrazinolysis, the formation of carbothioamides, and thiones through alkaline cyclization. Subsequently, reactions involving the S-function are conducted, leading to the formation of various classes of derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole. The study by a team of scientists introduced a novel method for synthesizing imidazolyl- and imidazole-1,2,4-triazoles, targeting the design of safer analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. Moreover, researchers have successfully synthesized derivatives of 3-[2-(5-thio-4-aryl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl)ethyl]quinoxalin-2(1H)-one, N-(3-thio-5-aryl-[1,2,4]triazole-4-yl)acylamides, 5-alkylthio-4-amino-3-(5,7-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-2-thiomethyl)-1,2,4-triazole and 3-(5,7-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-2-thiomethyl)-6-aryl-5,6-dihydrogen-1,2,4-triazole-[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole, 5,5’-(alkyldiyl-bis(sulfandiyl))bis(N-(arylidene)-3-thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-4-amines, 3-(arylsulfonyl)-4-phenyl-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole, expanding the scope of 1,2,4-triazole-based, compounds with potential pharmacological activities. Furthermore, the synthesis of molecules containing two 1,2,4-triazole and two benzole rings has gained traction, offering new avenues for drug development. Mannich bases were synthesized from the corresponding thiones through a reaction with N-methylpiperazine or N-phenylpiperazine in dimethylformamide in the presence of formaldehyde. Additionally, the synthesis of salts derived from 1,2,4-triazole highlights its importance in pharmaceutical formulations, with studies focusing on both organic and inorganic salts for potential therapeutic applications. Conclusions. The analysis of the above-mentioned publications indicates that the search for new biologically active compounds among derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones is promising. Many 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activity with little toxicity.

Bulb growth parameters of wild geophyte, giant snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii Hook. f.) in different media and nutrient solution recipes

Giant snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii Hook. f.) is reported on CITES lists as the most important wild-collected export flower bulb of Turkey. After the destruction caused by extensive collecting for many years, collection and trade have been controlled by the government since the late 1980’s. Export quotas are annually set by a technical committee, following field inspections by scientific teams. Small bulbs (under-sized) are also unintentionally collected from nature together with marketable sized bulbs (> 4 cm). Low success rate at cultivation of field grown snowdrop and loss of these small bulbs reveals the necessity of the studies on soilless culture. This study aimed to select the suitable growing media and mineral nutrition for snowdrop bulb production. Under-sized (unmarketable) bulbs of Galanthus elwesii Hook. f. were cultivated in four different growing media (perlite, coco-peat, soil, or spent mushroom compost + perlite) with four different nutrient solutions. The growing media affected most of the investigated parameters (sprouting time, sprouting ratio, total weight and increase ratio, number of harvested bulbs, and bulb grades). No significant effect of nutrient solutions was determined on the parameters. Spent mushroom compost + perlite appeared to be the most effective growing media.

Nurturing a positive research culture within your organization.

Positive research cultures provide the environment for scientists to explore ideas, grow as individuals, develop team science and create a positive impact on those around them. While positive research cultures need to grow from the kindness and integrity of team members, organization policy can either help or hinder this organic positive behavior. A focus on policies to enhance positive research culture can benefit even high-functioning organizations, by expanding and extending the benefits. Here we focus on key actionable areas to create and reinforce a positive research culture in your organization. We discuss the role of aligning staff recognition to the organization's missions, the influence of the organization unit and career structure on the research culture, the pyramid of building respectful interactions, the value of openness and transparency and the overarching goal of equality, diversity and inclusivity within the organization.

An Ethnographic Study of Patient Life Experience in Early-Stage Parkinson's Disease in the United States and Germany.

Existing qualitative research on early-stage Parkinson's disease draws on patients' reported disease experience, aiming to capture the symptoms and impacts most relevant to patients living with the disease. As a complement to this research, the present study investigated the patient experience of early-stage Parkinson's disease from a holistic, ethnographic perspective. We explored the attitudes, beliefs, and social structures that shape how people understand and adapt to life with early-stage Parkinson's disease. Researchers interviewed 30 people with early-stage Parkinson's disease, 10 relatives, and 10 neurologists and movement disorder specialists in the USA and Germany. Many of these interviews took place in-person, allowing researchers to spend time in participants' homes and witness their daily lives. A multidisciplinary team of social scientists, clinical researchers, and patient organization representatives led the mixed-methods study design and analysis. In-depth ethnographic interviews yielded qualitative insights, with a quantitative survey following to assess their prevalence in a larger sample of 150 patients. In addition to developing a patient life experience pathway of early-stage Parkinson's disease, we identified five key thematic findings that provide insight into how the clinical features of the disease become meaningful to patients on the context of their daily lives, family relations, and subjective well-being: (1) People with early-stage Parkinson's disease start coming to terms with their disease before receiving a medical diagnosis; (2) Acceptance is not a finalized achievement, but a cyclical process; (3) People with early-stage Parkinson's disease "live in the moment" to make the future more manageable; (4) Slowing disease progression is an important goal driving the actions of people with early-stage Parkinson's; and (5) People with early-stage Parkinson's disease value information that is grounded in lived experience and relevant to their stage of disease progression. This holistic, ethnographic approach to patient life experience provided five key thematic findings that complement insights from qualitative and quantitative datasets on early-stage Parkinson's disease. An enhanced understanding of how early-stage Parkinson's symptoms impact patients' health-related quality of life and their broader social lives can help us better understand how patients make decisions about their usage of healthcare services and therapies.

Advancing vascularized composite allotransplantation: essential factors for upper extremity transplant program development.

Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation (VCA) offers a unique option to restore form and function after limb loss or facial trauma that cannot be satisfactorily accomplished through traditional prosthetics or reconstructions. Establishing a successful Upper Extremity Transplantation (UET) program requires strong leadership and a structured surgical team, and extensive interdisciplinary collaboration. We conducted a qualitative study among 12 health care professionals and patients. Informed consent was obtained per protocol, and semi-structured interviews were conducted online and recorded. Participants reported their perceptions of factors that either favored or hindered a successful outcome, including functional status before and after surgery, preparation for transplant, shared decision-making, rehabilitation, and psychosocial support. Thematic analysis revealed that it is essential to establish a team comprising various disciplines well before performing VCA procedures. Defining a common goal and choosing a defined leader is a key factor in procedural success and requires open collaboration beyond what is typical. Primary described categories are interdisciplinary collaboration and skills of the VCA team, building and leading a VCA team, pre-transplant procedures, post-transplant course, and factors to consider when establishing a program. The basic roles of team science play an outsized role in establishing a VCA program. Transplantation medicine involves various overlapping scientific and medical categories requiring health professionals to consciously work together to establish complex vertical and horizontal communication webs between teams to obtain positive outcomes. In addition to medical considerations, patient-specific factors such as transparent communication, therapy plan establishment, plan adherence, and continual follow-up are significant factors to overall success.

Introduction to the Emerging Cognitive Science of Distributed Human-Autonomy Teams.

Teams are a fundamental aspect of life-from sports to business, to defense, to science, to education. While the cognitive sciences tend to focus on information processing within individuals, others have argued that teams are also capable of demonstrating cognitive capacities similar to humans, such as skill acquisition and forgetting (cf., Cooke, Gorman, Myers, & Duran, 2013; Fiore etal., 2010). As artificially intelligent and autonomous systems improve in their ability to learn, reason, interact, and coordinate with human teammates combined with the observation that teams can express cognitive capacities typically seen in individuals, a cognitive science of teams is emerging. Consequently, new questions are being asked about teams regarding teamness, trust, the introduction and effects of autonomous systems on teams, and how best to measure team behavior and phenomena. In this topic, four facets of human-autonomy team cognition are introduced with leaders in the field providing in-depth articles associated with one or more of the facets: (1) defining teams; (2) how trust is established, maintained, and repaired when broken; (3) autonomous systems operating as teammates; and (4) metrics for evaluating team cognition across communication, coordination, and performance.

“Two Sides of the Same Coin”: Benefits of Science–Art Collaboration and Field Immersion for Undergraduate Research Experiences

This study examined how incorporating art into an upper-level undergraduate field-based ecology research course influenced students’ communication and collaboration skills, their career goals, and how they conceptualized the scientific method. Student pairs designed an independent research study that used artwork and a scientific research poster to disseminate their findings at an end-of-term exhibit. Students enrolled in either a local or a (subsidized) travel abroad section of the course. Students in both sections found new or deeper connections between art and science, developed a more sophisticated understanding of the science method, became more confident with their science skills, and reported an expanded perspective on their future careers (often including field work and a wider geographic job search). Science–art student teams indicated they wanted more opportunities for collaborative work in the future, and that their final products were more professional due to their collaborations, as compared to science–science teams. Additionally, the travel abroad students benefitted from experiencing new ecosystems and cultures, from working with science and art professionals from other countries, and from working in an isolated field station without distractions.

Fostering reflective impact orientation in transdisciplinary research–A multi-method workshop format

The primary objective of transdisciplinary research (TDR) is to contribute to the solution of complex ‘real-world’ problems by integrating heterogeneous knowledge and achieving societal effects. However, establishing a continuous impact orientation during TDR processes remains a challenge, as the necessary tools are not yet sufficiently available.We developed and tested a half-day workshop format for strengthening the impact-oriented project management and research activities of seven TDR projects. Our findings indicate that the reflective impact workshops supported participants in pursuing societal effects systematically. Applying the methodological approach also fosters TDR process qualities such as knowledge integration. Conducted at different project stages, the results can serve as a basis for monitoring and adapting the project design.The reflective approach•includes scientific and non-scientific TDR project team members,•draws on Theory of Change as a conceptual framework and motivates participants to reflect on plausible impact pathways and make implicit assumptions about interlinkages between different forms of societal effects explicit, and•provides results which enable project partners to adjust their project design for greater societal effectiveness.

SHEA position statement on pandemic preparedness for policymakers: pandemic data collection, maintenance, and release.

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology in America (SHEA) strongly supports modernization of data collection processes and the creation of publicly available data repositories that include a wide variety of data elements and mechanisms for securely storing both cleaned and uncleaned data sets that can be curated as clinical and research needs arise. These elements can be used for clinical research and quality monitoring and to evaluate the impacts of different policies on different outcomes. Achieving these goals will require dedicated, sustained and long-term funding to support data science teams and the creation of central data repositories that include data sets that can be "linked" via a variety of different mechanisms and also data sets that include institutional and state and local policies and procedures. A team-based approach to data science is strongly encouraged and supported to achieve the goal of a sustainable, adaptable national shared data resource.

Advancing team science and health equity in clinical oncology using the All of Us Research Program dataset.

e13741 Background: The All of Us Research Program ( All of Us) is one of the largest, most diverse health databases developed to expedite medical breakthroughs and is a resource for cancer researchers. The size and diversity of participants along with data types within the program, coupled with the program’s cloud based data analytics platform, encourage both team science and equitable health research outcomes. All of Us is dedicated to advancing the science of health equity with a focus on populations underrepresented in biomedical research and workforce, and embedding health equity across all aspects of the program. Methods: All of Us uses a centralized protocol where participants may elect to 1) enroll, consent, and authorize EHR, 2) answer surveys, 3) provide physical measurements, 4) provide biosamples, and 5) share data from wearables. High levels of participant diversity was achieved through an Engagement Ecosystem of outreach leaders, participants, and engagement awardees. Outreach, engagement, enrollment, and retention efforts are strategically directed by a Community and Participant Engagement Framework and a Health Equity Strategic Plan. Results: As of January 2024, health data from 413,450+ participants is available, including eight survey types from 337,500+ participants, electronic health records (EHR) from 287,000+ participants, wearable data from 15,600+ participants and whole genome sequencing from 245,350+ participants. Over 75% of participants self-identify as underrepresented in biomedical research, and about 45% self-identify as racial and ethnic minority groups. Cancer data includes history at enrollment as well as incident ascertainment via EHR (N = 26,323 total cancers and 13,067 incident cancers, from 7,544 participants assigned female at birth and 5,264 participants assigned male at birth). As of February 2024, All of Us data has been used in more than 221 publications. Of these, 35% (78) discuss cancer or oncology. More than 10% of active workspaces (921 out of 8000+ as of January 2024) include “cancer” in workspace descriptions. Commonly studied cancer types include breast, prostate, lung, ovarian, and colorectal. Conclusions: All of Us has established itself as a resource for cancer researchers. This database has the potential to provide insights into the development of treatment guidelines and emerging indicators for screening and early detection guided by health equity built on participant engagement, diversity, and broad data availability. Finally, the breadth of All of Us data also offers potential insight into cancer etiology and opportunities for prevention.

Community dialogue to enhance understanding of beliefs, behaviours and barriers to care for people living with liver disease and HBV infection in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

IntroductionThe World Health Organisation (WHO) has set targets for the elimination of Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which include preventing new infections and reducing deaths. We explored beliefs, behaviours and barriers to diagnosis, prevention and treatment for people living with HBV infection (PLWHB) and those with liver disease in a rural South African population in KwaZulu-Natal, to gather information to inform research and support the development of improved clinical and public health services. MethodsUsing an interdisciplinary approach (combining public engagement, social science, clinical and laboratory team members) we conducted a community dialogue with members of the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) Community Advisory Board (CAB). Notes from the discussions were used to write up an account from which themes were identified during a team debrief session for data analysis. ResultsThere was a lack of knowledge and awareness of HBV infection and transmission and prevention amongst CAB members, also reported among community members and healthcare workers. The participants recognised liver disease symptoms. Perceived causes of liver disease reported by the CAB were alcohol and non-adherence to HIV treatment. Barriers to care included stigma, poverty, and delays in referrals for HBV diagnosis and management. ConclusionUnderstanding barriers to care is important to shape future services for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HBV and liver disease which are accessible, affordable and acceptable to the local population. Education, awareness and advocacy for improved liver health care pathways are required to make them effective for local communities.