The KRESCENT Program (2005-2015) : an evaluation of the state of Kidney Research Training in Canada
Article [Version of Record]
Abstract(s)
Background: The Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training (KRESCENT) Program was launched
in 2005 to enhance kidney research capacity in Canada and foster knowledge translation across the 4 themes of health
research.
Objective: To evaluate the impact of KRESCENT on its major objectives and on the careers of trainees after its first 10
years.
Methods: An online survey of trainees (n = 53) who had completed or were enrolled in KRESCENT was conducted in
2015. Information was also obtained from curriculum vitae (CVs). A bibliometric analysis assessed scientific productivity,
collaboration, and impact in comparison with unsuccessful applicants to KRESCENT over the same period. The analysis
included a comparison of Canadian with international kidney research metrics from 2000 to 2014.
Results: Thirty-nine KRESCENT trainees completed the survey (74%), and 44 trainees (83%) submitted CVs. KRESCENT
trainees had a high success rate at obtaining grant funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR; 79%),
and 76% of Post-Doctoral Fellows received academic appointments at the Assistant Professor level within 8 months of
completing training. The majority of trainees reported that KRESCENT had contributed significantly to their success in
securing CIHR funding (90%), and to the creation of knowledge (93%) and development of new methodologies (50%).
Bibliometric analysis revealed a small but steady decline in total international kidney research output from 2000 to 2014, as
a percentage of all health research, although overall impact of kidney research in Canada increased from 2000-2005 to 2009-
2014 compared with other countries. KRESCENT trainees demonstrated increased productivity, multiauthored papers,
impact, and international collaborations after their training, compared with nonfunded applicants.
Conclusions: The KRESCENT Program has fostered kidney research career development and contributed to increased
capacity, productivity, and collaboration. To further enhance knowledge creation and translation in kidney research in
Canada, programs such as KRESCENT should be sustained via long-term funding partnerships. Mise en contexte: Le programme KRESCENT (Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training) a été
lancé en 2005 pour augmenter la capacité de la recherche sur les maladies du rein à travers le Canada, et pour encourager
la transmission des connaissances au sein des quatre axes de recherche en santé.
Objectifs de l’étude: Cette étude avait pour but d’évaluer les répercussions du programme KRESCENT sur ses principaux
objectifs ainsi que des retombées sur la carrière des stagiaires participants, dix ans après sa création.
Méthodologie: Un sondage en ligne a été mené en 2015 auprès des stagiaires (n = 53) ayant été admis ou ayant complété
le programme KRESCENT. Des renseignements ont également été obtenus par la consultation de curriculum vitae (CV).
Une analyse bibliométrique a évalué la productivité scientifique et la collaboration des participants ainsi que les répercussions
de leur participation à KRESCENT sur leur carrière. Les données de cette analyse ont été comparées à celles des candidats
n’ayant pas été retenus au cours de la même période. L’analyse comprenait également une comparaison des données
canadiennes avec celles obtenues en recherche sur les maladies du rein ailleurs dans le monde.