The RE-AIM model (Glasgow et al. 1999) used within IMPACT fits comfortably within the proposed stages of implementation.
- Reach – How do we know we have reached the targeted population(s)? Measured as the proportion of the target population that participated in the intervention.
- Effectiveness – How do we know if our intervention is effective? Measured as the success of achieving specified outcomes.
- Adoption – How do we develop organizational supports, networks, and resources to deliver our intervention? Measured as the settings, practices, and plans adopted in support of the intervention.
- Implementation – How do we ensure the intervention is delivered in a way that is responsive to the needs of the targeted population(s)? Fidelity measured as the extent to which the intervention is implemented in the real world.
- Maintenance – How do we design the intervention for the existing context while building in flexibility so it is delivered over the long term? Measured as the extent to which the core components of the program that meet the needs of the targeted population are sustained over time.
Overview
We propose the following five stages for thinking and executing the work of implementing an intervention:
- Exploration & Design – How are we planning for and selecting an intervention? (Note: Includes the Reach and Adoption of RE-AIM)
- Capacity & Readiness Assessment – How are we designing what’s necessary for successful implementation of the planned intervention? (Note: This is the Adoption of RE-AIM)
- Initial Implementation – How are we adjusting, modifying, and supporting the intervention after initial trial or prototype? (Note: Includes the Effectiveness and Implementation of RE-AIM)
- Full Implementation – How are we scaling and improving the intervention across all the planned sites? (Includes the Implementation and Effectiveness of RE-AIM)
- Sustainability & Innovation – How are we assuring and maintaining the intervention and how are we planning to innovate on it for the future? (Note: This is the Adoption, Effectiveness, Implementation and Maintenance of RE-AIM)
