RE-AIMing conferences: a reach, effectiveness, and maintenance evaluation of the Rick Hansen Institute's Praxis 2016

This article reported on the reach, effectiveness, and maintenance dimensions of a RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) analysis to evaluate Praxis 2016, a conference aimed to develop solutions to overcome challenges to translating research into practice in the spinal cord injury (SCI) community. Reach indicators were collected from the Praxis 2016 organizing committee. For effectiveness and maintenance, attendees (n = 106) completed a questionnaire pre-, post-, and 9-month post-Praxis 2016 assessing (a) capability (e.g., knowledge), (b) motivation, (c) opportunities, and (d) the groups they currently, need to, and/or plan to work with to develop solutions to overcome the challenges of translating SCI research into practice. They also reported their satisfaction with Praxis 2016. Qualitative interviews with attendees and organizers post-Praxis 2016 were conducted. Praxis 2016 reached 28% of their intended audience. For effectiveness, attendees' knowledge significantly increased (t(59)= 3.83, p < .001), they reported a greater need to work with members within the SCI community from pre- to post-Praxis 2016, and were generally satisfied with Praxis 2016. Regarding maintenance, more attendees reported needing to work with researchers, clinicians and SCI community organizations at 9-month post-Praxis 2016. The interviewees reported increased knowledge and capacity to network with the SCI community, but highlighted concerns for the long-term impact of Praxis 2016. Praxis 2016 was an effective approach to create short-term change in knowledge, and to expand knowledge translation networks. Further efforts could build on Praxis 2016 to foster long-term success in overcoming the challenges in translating SCI research into practice.