juillet 24, 2024

When working within a national research network, it’s easy to think of building capacity from the ground up, for example with experts unilaterally training people and helping to build up their research skillsets. But what is less thought about is building capacity among each other – learning from everyone’s unique skillsets, experiences and backgrounds. Some members of Can-SOLVE CKD are exploring ways to further embrace this bi-directional form of learning, a concept called “capacity bridging,” within our work.

The term “capacity bridging” was first presented by Dr. Charlotte Loppie of Aboriginal HIV and AIDS Community-based Research Collaborative Centre, and is rooted in a two eyed seeing approach. Capacity bridging similarly involves a bi-directional transfer of knowledge rooted in shared respect.

For instance, patient partners within our network aren’t just people whose lives are affected by kidney disease, but they are also individuals bringing rich tapestries of diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds. Researchers in the network also bring diverse assets. Capacity bridging promotes embracing and learning from each other and recognizing all of the strengths that each person brings to the table.

“It’s a non-paternalistic way of engaging with folks and recognizing that in addition to their lived experience with illness, they also bring various skills and expertise to the [research] and really valuing those diverse skills,” explains Melanie Talson, Patient Partnerships & Capacity Building Manager of Can-SOLVE CKD, also emphasizing that the concept embodies the metaphor of a bridge. “It recognizes that the knowledge flows in both directions [between people].”

Talson, who is exploring new ways to build capacity within the network, had a ‘eureka’ moment when she first learned of capacity bridging, and is interested in creating a framework to describe      this concept to guide Can-SOLVE CKD’s work moving forward. She notes that, in large part due to cultural competency training through the Learning Pathway (formally Wabishki Bizhiko Skaanj), many network members already engage in     capacity bridging within their patient-oriented researchwork.      

Craig Settee, Can-SOLVE CKD’s Cultural Competency Manager, notes that Indigenous patient partners within the network have been key in helping the advance these bidirectional connections. “From the development of a learning pathway to sharing their own experiences and highlighting the conceptual and practical wisdom of Indigenous thought leaders… The bridging of capacities occurs at numerous intersections and The Learning Pathway has provided footing for network members to embark on journeys of learning from and with Indigenous peoples’,” he says.

Taslon adds, “Capacity-bridging is a way to conceptualize what we’re already doing as a Network, and then further promote it and make it into a framework in terms of how we move forward.”

While a formal framework is still in the early days of being realized, Talson has some ideas for moving forward with the approach.  “As we continue to build capacity in supporting patient-oriented research, we will cycle through defining, implementing, evaluating and refining capacity-bridging as a dynamic and reflective action-oriented framework,” she explains, noting that patient partners will be engaged in this process throughout all stages.     

She also encourages patient partners to be open about what other skills and experiences they can share  beyond their experiences with kidney disease.

“I would encourage patient partners to really speak up on their areas of interest and areas of expertise that are outside of their lived experience with kidney disease,” she says, noting that sometimes people may not really know what they can offer until they are presented with the opportunity.