The Canadian Nephrology Trials Network was excited to meet in-person in Toronto from October 14-15. The meeting focused on succession planning and short-term and long-term network goals.

 

“Everyone was excited to meet again in-person,” says CNTN Project Manager Alicia Murdoch, “and I think that set the stage and contributed to a successful meeting.” The meeting included 19 in-person attendees with nephrologists, researchers and patient partners from across the country including 3 virtual participants. It was great to meet new and familiar faces as this was the first in-person meeting in over 2 years. The meeting was opened with a Land Acknowledgment and closed from Knowledge Keeper Garry Sault from Mississauga of Credit First Nation.

 

The meeting allowed the 4 committees of the CNTN, the Executive, the Capacity Building, Scientific Operations and Communications and Engagement, to come together and review Phase 1 successes and plan for Phase 2. Each committee gave an update to the network members and received feedback during engaging discussion reflecting challenges and successes, what has worked and what could be improved.

 

Discussion included supporting researchers in patient engagement including reviewing how are patient partners currently engaged in CNTN activities, how can the network support researchers in engaging patients and identifying training and capacity building needs.

 

Ensuring patient voices were at the forefront, advocacy was a large part of the discussion. “Patients want to make sure their voices are not only being heard but implemented into the collaboration process,” says Murdoch. The idea of patient ambassadors was recurring theme and utilizing them to advocate to REB’s, industry, Health Canada about the research of the network. “We will continue to work with our patient partners to support them and commit to amplifying the patient partner voice within our network and the larger clinical trials community,” states Murdoch.

 

Future network goals asked membership to reflect where do we go from here, value of CNTN to its members and the larger nephrology research community. Sustainability was discussed at great length to ensure long-term success of the network, including engaging with industry.

 

The network was able to offer a financial assistance opportunity back in September to projects and teams for an aspect of their research such as recruitment, knowledge translation, or patient engagement activities. The applications were evaluated and ranked by the CNTN Committee members and they reviewed the results during our meeting. There were 27 applications received and a total of 9 projects were awarded a total of $73,625.

 

CNTN is committed to fostering excellence for Nephrology Trials in Canada and connecting researchers and patients to support research and innovation and we look forward to Phase 2 of the network. We look forward to rolling out our succession planning as we look towards the future of the network.

If you would like to know more about CNTN or ways to get involved, please contact Alicia Murdoch at amurdoch@cansolveckd.ca