CTC Directors Join World’s Experts to Talk Kidney Health at WCN’22

25/02/22

Prof Meg Jardine and Prof Rachael Morton, Director and Deputy Director of the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (CTC) at the University of Sydney joined the world’s leading experts in kidney health at the ISN World Congress of Nephrology (WCN’22) in late February.

The Congress, held annually, brings together thousands of participants to exchange the latest science and clinical applications to improve kidney care and prevent kidney disease worldwide. This year more than 250 speakers delivered scientific content to delegates from around the world.

“The WCN is the platform to share new knowledge about effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies for kidney disease. It is also a springboard from which to mobilise the implementation of sustainable, equitable, ethical care for people with kidney disease in all regions and countries of the world,” says Professor Morton.

 

New Clinical Trial Designs in Nephrology

Prof Jardine, Director of CTC’s Kidney Health Program, contributed to WCN with a talk on ‘Implementation Science: Disseminating Research Findings’ in an exciting session on New Clinical Trial Designs in Nephrology. She outlined ways in which implementation research can be incorporated in clinical trials with a focus on kidney disease research. “We are going through a real renaissance with multiple new and promising treatments for various types of kidney disease,” says Prof Jardine. “Finding ways to efficiently research implementation is going to help maximise the benefits of these treatments for patients living with kidney disease.”

Prof Jardine also took part in the Nursing, Nutrition and Allied Health Professionals Symposium panel discussion ‘Bridging the Gaps’, describing it as “inspiring to hear about the creative, patient-centred solutions found to provide kidney care in a diverse range of settings.”

 

Advocacy and Policy Course: toolkit development

Professor Morton, CTC Health Economics Director, shared her expertise in the concept of advocacy and provided real-life advocacy success stories in the field of kidney health in the ‘Advocacy and Policy Course: toolkit development’ session.  

“This brand new workshop by the WCN covered the principles and practicalities of designing and conducting effective advocacy campaigns to equip nephrologists, researchers and the kidney community with the knowledge, skills, and techniques to advocate successfully at all levels of policymaking,” says Prof Morton.

“My role was to outline how to communicate to finance bureaucrats and policy makers, by using economic evaluation, cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses. This is critical for kidney care, particularly in low and middle income countries where dialysis and transplantation services may not be considered affordable. The medical and research community urgently needs to advocate for equitable access to kidney care.”