SECTION 05

Supporting Capacity Building

We are developing new infrastructure and training resources to increase Canada’s capacity for patient-oriented research in kidney disease.

SECTION 05

Supporting Capacity Building

We are developing new infrastructure and training resources to increase Canada’s capacity for patient-oriented research in kidney disease.

Capacity Building Workshop Series

This year, we hosted a series of capacity building workshops to bolster network members’ knowledge and expertise in a variety of areas, including: patient-oriented kidney research, cultural competency, knowledge mobilization and implementation science, performance measurement, and equity, diversity and inclusion.

These skill-building sessions will set us up for success and ensure network members are well equipped with knowledge about the four pillars of Can-SOLVE CKD Phase 2.

We look forward to hosting the final installment in the capacity building workshop series in early 2023, which will focus on Performance Evaluation/Measurement.

Setting the Stage

June 8, 2022

This session provided attendees with an opportunity to explore network infrastructures and how they can support projects and stakeholders.

Number of attendees: 66

All My Relations: IPERC and Learning Pathway Information Sharing Session

June 17, 2022

This session provided attendees with an introduction to Indigenous initiatives at the network, including the Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council and the Wabishki Bizhgiko Skaanj Learning Pathway.

Number of attendees: 103

Mobilizing Indigenous engagement and cultural competency

June 24, 2022

This session provided attendees an introduction to the Indigenous Initiatives Team and presented an Indigenous engagement framework.

Number of attendees: 58

Knowledge Mobilization and Implementation Science (KMIS) Foundations Training (Part 1 and 2)

July 12 and 19, 2022

A two-part workshop on knowledge mobilization and implementation science with Julia Moore from the Centre for Implementation. Participants who attended both workshops were presented with a certificate of completion.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Kidney Health Research

September 23, 2022

Dr. Sofia Ahmed, one of Canada’s leading experts in sex and gender research and an Advisory Board member for the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health, presented on EDI to our network.  This event was held as part of the Can-SOLVE CKD Network Annual Update.

Number of attendees: 60

Coming together again after the pandemic

Patient partners are at the heart of our network, and they make up two of our core governing bodies, the Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council (IPERC) and the Patient Governance Circle (PGC).

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to in-person meetings, but the pan-Canadian nature of our network helped us adapt quickly and efficiently to a virtual environment. We were very excited to resume in-person meetings in 2022 – both committees were happy to connect with new and familiar faces.

IPERC Meeting

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Dates: June 15-16, 2022

  • 12 committee members
  • 2 local Knowledge Keepers
  • 2 Can-SOLVE CKD staff members
  • 3 virtual attendees

PGC Meeting

Location: St. John’s, Newfoundland

Dates: August 25-26, 2022

  • 14 patient partners
  • 1 local Knowledge Keeper
  • 4 Can-SOLVE CKD staff members
  • 4 virtual attendees

Launch of the Can-SOLVE CKD Learning Tree

Patient-oriented research asks everyone to embrace new ways of working.

This year, the network’s Training & Mentorship Committee successfully completed its work to develop and implement a suite of five “learning branches” focused on increasing network members’ patient-oriented research skills and knowledge.

Five programs are available, covering a wide range of subjects from knowledge translation to Indigenous cultural safety:

Storytelling for Impact

This year, we launched an online component of the Storytelling for Impact module.

Whereas the module was offered originally as an 8-week synchronous workshop series, it is now available online as a self-paced, interactive module.

This module has been designed to help patient partners write their stories around two moments of care that they wish to share, along with a call to action for improving kidney care.

Knowledge Translation Principles

Another milestone this year was the launch of the Knowledge Translation (KT) mini-module “How to Distil Key Messages from an Academic Publication and Communicate Using Plain Language.”

Its goal is to help users raise awareness of research and share key findings with specific people/end-users.

Learning Tree Webinar

The five learning branches were shared with the public through a virtual session, as part of the SPOR National Training Entity official launch event on December 1, 2022.

97 registered attendees learned about the reasoning, process and goals of each Learning Branch (module) of the Tree, and how to incorporate knowledge from the Learning Branches into their work.

Unlocking KidneyLink’s potential

KidneyLink is an online portal developed by Can-SOLVE CKD that connects patient partners to opportunities for research involvement and curated educational resources. We are now planning the second phase of KidneyLink to build upon this foundation and enhance its role as a one-stop shop for patient engagement, education, and knowledge mobilization.

Achieving this goal requires the collective wisdom of our partners. On July 5, Can-SOLVE CKD brought together more than 40 patients, researchers, and health care providers from eight provinces to develop a vision for KidneyLink that reflects the diverse perspectives of Canada’s kidney community. Participants’ feedback gave rise to a summary report and the formation of a working group that meets bi-weekly to implement a new vision for KidneyLink.

Canadian Nephrology Trials Network

The Canadian Nephrology Trials Network (CNTN) was created to support and strengthen collaboration between kidney researchers and patient partners eager to learn share their lived experience to shape research.

CNTN aims to improve the relevance, number, and quality of nephrology clinical trials in Canada, as well as  researchers’ ability to conduct multi-centre trials. The network also aims to help integrate patient priorities into care and practice through increased patient involvement, peer review, engagement, and training.

This past year, the CNTN has continued to support peer review and feedback of trials through the CNTN Scientific Operations Committee, which consists of researchers and patient partners. As well, the network is in the process of developing a Patient Partners in CNTN Peer Review module to help demonstrate the value of including patients in the peer review process, which is anticipated to launch Spring 2023.

This year the network also debuted the CNTN Spotlight Podcast, which features engaging conversations about clinically relevant research. The podcast gives researchers an opportunity to highlight their research and for patient partners to speak about their roles within the network.

It is important to note that the evolution of clinical research in Canada will bring new opportunities for capacity building. Can-SOLVE CKD is excited to be at the forefront of this endeavour, bringing together researchers, patient partners, policy-makers, healthcare administrators and other stakeholders. As a team, we are honoured to be making a positive impact on the kidney research landscape in Canada.

“We are showing patients how they can become involved in randomized clinical trials and that even though patients may not understand the science, they can still be involved in the process.”

ALICIA MURDOCH

Project Manager, Can-SOLVE CKD Network