Evidence-based evidence translated into health care services requires three conversion processes, preclinical research-clinical research-implementation research, which might take a very long time. In order to speed up the process of research results translated into daily medical practice and health policy, an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design combining the effectiveness research of clinical and implementation research was emerging. This paper introduced the concept, classification and application of effectiveness-implementation hybrid design, to provide references for researchers in this area.
Effectiveness-implementation hybrid designs can test the effectiveness of interventions and the outcomes of implementation strategies concurrently and accelerate the transformation of research results into routine practice. This paper introduced three types of effectiveness-implementation hybrid designs and corresponding reporting guidelines, including standards for reporting implementation studies, cluster randomized design and CONSORT 2010, stepped-wedge cluster randomized design and extended version CONSORT 2018, qualitative research and COREQ reporting guideline, and provide references for domestic researchers to produce research reports on effectiveness-implementation hybrid design.
Effectiveness-implementation hybrid design（EIHD）is a research methodology that integrates effectiveness research and implementation science to evaluate the effectiveness of health interventions and implementation strategies. In response to the current challenge of delayed translation of evidence in acupuncture research, this paper analyzes the core underlying reasons in study design, implementation context, and dissemination mechanisms. It systematically demonstrates the profound alignment between implementation science methodologies and clinical acupuncture research. Furthermore, focusing for the first time on the core characteristics of syndrome differentiation and dynamic adjustment in acupuncture treatment, this study clarifies the specific applicable scenarios and classification selection criteria of three types of EIHD for acupuncture research. Integrating theoretical frameworks and reporting guidelines, a full-chain implementation pathway from problem identification, protocol design to outcome dissemination is established, providing operable methodological support for translating high-quality evidence from acupuncture clinical trials into routine clinical practice.