About HAIF

Dr Zhen Zheng

Dr Zhen Zheng, PhD is a Senior Research Fellow at RMIT University and a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) Fellow (App 1110446). Her research focuses on translating acupuncture and acupressure evidence into routine hospital practice using implementation science methodology.

Dr Zheng developed the Hospital Acupuncture Implementation Framework (HAIF) based on real-world implementation experience at Victorian public hospitals and systematic review of the clinical evidence base.

What is HAIF?

The Hospital Acupuncture Implementation Framework is a structured methodology for integrating acupuncture and acupressure into hospital clinical practice. It guides implementation teams — including anaesthetists, surgeons, nurses, and acupuncturists — through four sequential phases:

1. Exploration — identifying human and environmental factors
2. Preparation — developing strategies for enablers and barriers
3. Implementation — executing the plan with internal and external support
4. Sustainment — normalising practice into routine operations

Theoretical Foundations

HAIF is grounded in two established implementation science frameworks:

• EPIS Model (Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment) — provides the four-phase structure that organises the implementation process from initial evidence review through long-term sustainability.
• CFIR (Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research) — supplies the constructs used within each phase to assess organisational readiness, structural characteristics, leadership engagement, training access, and fidelity monitoring.

These frameworks are widely used in health services research and ensure that HAIF addresses known barriers and enablers for clinical practice change in a systematic, reproducible manner.

Acknowledgements

The development of this framework and website was supported by a Seed Grant from Research and Innovation, RMIT University.

The content draws on the collaborative work of the team that implemented acupressure for post-operative nausea and vomiting at a Victorian public hospital, integrating implementation science expertise, acupuncture and acupressure evidence, and team learning.

Funding Sources

• NHMRC Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) Fellowship to Dr Zhen Zheng (App 1110446)
• RMIT University Postgraduate Scholarship to Ms Jenny Layton
• Internal funding from the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University
• In-kind support from the Surgery and Anaesthesia Departments at Northern Hospital, Victoria

Contributors

Dr Li Ping Thong (RMIT School of Design) created the original POPA4Ease website design. The team thanks the nurses, doctors, and other staff at Northern Hospital who made the implementation project possible.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Dr Zhen Zheng receives no financial benefit from the recommendation of any specific acupuncture or acupressure product, device, or training programme. The HAIF framework is developed as a public-good research output. Funding sources (NHMRC, RMIT University) had no role in the framework design, content, or recommendations.

This website does not sell products, accept advertising, or receive industry sponsorship. Evidence summaries are based on published systematic reviews and meta-analyses and are graded using the GRADE methodology.

Last reviewed: April 2026