The RE-AIM framework is the most commonly used framework for implementation research outcome evaluation, with the original paper cited 2 800 times. However, in the specific operationalization process of the framework, there are often situations of misuse or overuse of various dimensions and indicators. This article provides a detailed introduction to the main content, application scenarios, and characteristics of the RE-AIM framework. Taking the implementation research of Evidence-based Practice Guidelines for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Treatment of Stroke as an example, it introduces how to use the silent & anonymous feedback technology, which combines the improved Delphi method and nominal group technique, to construct an implementation outcome indicator evaluation system to achieve the operability of the RE-AIM framework. This will provide a reference for other researchers to use implementation science theories, models, and frameworks to develop implementation plans or evaluate implementation outcomes.
Implementation science is a relatively emergent and growing research area. Implementation research can assist to transform what is possible in theory to reality in practice and address the challenge of implementing proven interventions in the real world. Implementation research has a wide range of usages and complex research problems, so appropriate research methods, designs, and outcomes variables are required to address different research objectives. To better conduct implementation research, this paper systematically introduces the research designs, outcome variables, and reporting guideline of the implementation research in health care, based on the purposes and research questions of implementation research.