A bibliometric analysis of the factors influencing global research conditions of teacher education

Introduction: Digital transformation has emerged as a pivotal factor in modernizing health systems and education worldwide. Despite its transformative potential, disparities in access to technology and digital education persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, impacting the preparation of future healthcare professionals. Aim: To explore the current gaps, challenges, and opportunities in the integration of digital technologies within health education to drive innovation and prepare future professionals for a digitally advanced healthcare landscape. Methods: A brief bibliometric analysis was conducted using Scopus to assess global and Latin American research trends in digital health and professional health education. Results: Global research on digital health has shown exponential growth since 2016, with the United States and United Kingdom leading production. In Latin America, research remains limited, accounting for only 3.13% of global output. Brazil leads regional efforts, though disparities in institutional contributions and technological access are evident. Digital health education is still a niche, with less than 300 global publications and only 16 originating from Latin America. Conclusions: Innovation and digital transformation in health education present unique opportunities to address global disparities and prepare healthcare professionals for emerging challenges. Strengthening technological infrastructure, integrating digital competencies into curricula, and fostering international collaborations are critical to achieving equitable advancements in health education.

Medical and dental education share the common goal of preparing clinically competent and socially responsible health professionals. Despite this shared goal, the two disciplines have evolved as distinct academic fields, with limited empirical comparisons between them. Understanding their commonalities and differences can foster mutual development and cross-disciplinary collaboration. This study aims to compare research priorities in medical and dental education by analyzing author keywords from representative journals in each field. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using author keywords from two medical education journals (Advances in Health Sciences Education and BMC Medical Education) and two dental education journals (European Journal of Dental Education and Journal of Dental Education) over a 10-year period (2015-2024). Data were retrieved from the Web of Science database, including only original research articles and review articles. Frequency analysis of the top 10 author keywords was performed in 2-year intervals, and bump charts were created to visualize temporal ranking changes. In addition, co-occurrence network maps were constructed using all keywords appearing 10 or more times over the study period. Data processing and visualization were conducted using VOSviewer and Tableau software. A total of 9391 articles were analyzed, comprising 6806 articles from medical education journals and 2585 articles from dental education journals. Both fields consistently emphasized "students," "assessment," and "curriculum" as core research topics. However, medical education placed greater emphasis on "postgraduate medical education" and student mental health (e.g., empathy, resilience, and depression), whereas dental education focused more on "educational technology" and clinical skills development (e.g., simulation, virtual reality, and psychomotor skills). The keyword "covid-19" emerged prominently in both fields from 2019 to 2020 onward, reflecting the pandemic's transformative impact on education. "Interprofessional education" appeared as a shared emerging theme, suggesting growing recognition of collaborative practice needs. This study identifies both foundational commonalities and discipline-specific innovations in medical and dental education research over the past decade. These findings suggest that shared interests and distinctive priorities can lead to meaningful opportunities for collaborative educational development and joint research efforts across health professions education.

This study conducts a bibliometric and scientometric analysis of global research trends in medical ethics education from 2000 to 2025. Drawing on 443 English-language articles retrieved from the Scopus database, the analysis employs VOSviewer to map knowledge structures, identify thematic clusters, and reveal intellectual trajectories. Results show a sustained growth in publication volume and increasing scholarly attention to ethics education across multiple dimensions. Keyword co-occurrence and clustering analysis identify five core thematic areas: ethical identity formation, student engagement with bioethical dilemmas, moral development in early education, public health ethics in policy contexts, and research ethics awareness. The field has evolved from a focus on normative instruction to a more integrated, contextual, and experiential model of ethics education, emphasizing identity, affect, and systemic accountability. Highly cited works highlight the importance of the hidden curriculum, reflective practice, and simulation-based learning. This study provides a comprehensive knowledge map of the field and offers insights for future pedagogical design and policy formation. By clarifying conceptual foci and research frontiers, it contributes to the strategic development of ethics education within increasingly complex medical and societal environments.

BackgroundChatGPT is a generative artificial intelligence–based chatbot developed by OpenAI. Since its release in the second half of 2022, it has been widely applied across various fields. In particular, the application of ChatGPT in medical education has become a significant trend. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the research developments and trends regarding ChatGPT in medical education, we conducted an extensive review and analysis of the current state of research in this field.ObjectiveThis study used bibliometric and visualization analysis to explore the current state of research and development trends regarding ChatGPT in medical education.MethodsA bibliometric analysis of 407 articles on ChatGPT in medical education published between March 2023 and June 2025 was conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix (RTool of RStudio). Visualization of countries, institutions, journals, authors, keywords, and references was also conducted.ResultsThis bibliometric analysis included a total of 407 studies. Research in this field began in 2023, showing a notable surge in annual publications until June 2025. The United States, China, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and Canada produced the most publications. Networks of collaboration also formed among institutions. The University of California system was a core research institution, with 3.4% (14/407) of the publications and 0.17 betweenness centrality. BMC Medical Education, Medical Teacher, and the Journal of Medical Internet Research were all among the top 10 journals in terms of both publication volume and citation frequency. The most prolific author was Yavuz Selim Kiyak, who has established a stable collaboration network with Isil Irem Budakoglu and Ozlem Coskun. Author collaboration in this field is usually limited, with most academic research conducted by independent teams and little communication between teams. The most frequent keywords were “AI,” “ChatGPT,” and “medical education.” Keyword analysis further revealed “educational assessment,” “exam,” and “clinical practice” as current research hot spots. The most cited paper was “Performance of ChatGPT on USMLE: Potential for AI-Assisted Medical Education Using Large Language Models,” and the paper with the strongest citation burst was “Are ChatGPT’s Knowledge and Interpretation Ability Comparable to Those of Medical Students in Korea for Taking a Parasitology Examination?: A Descriptive Study.” Both papers focus on evaluating ChatGPT’s performance in medical exams.ConclusionsThis study reveals the significant potential of ChatGPT in medical education. As the technology improves, its applications will expand into more fields. To promote the diversification and effectiveness of ChatGPT in medical education, future research should strengthen interregional collaboration and enhance research quality. These findings provide valuable insights for researchers to identify research perspectives and guide future research directions.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the research trends in multicultural education indexed in the Scopus database (2010–2024) using a bibliometric approach. The research specifically addresses gaps in the systematic mapping of global research patterns, thematic and geographical distribution, and international collaboration in multicultural education literature. Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework of this study is grounded in critical multicultural education theory, which emphasizes inclusivity, equity, and cultural responsiveness in educational systems. By linking this framework to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)—this research underscores the role of multicultural education in achieving global sustainability objectives. Literature Review: A review of existing literature highlights extensive qualitative discussions but reveals a lack of quantitative bibliometric analysis in mapping research developments in this field. Methods: This study employs bibliometric analysis to examine annual publication trends, emerging themes, patterns of international collaboration, and geographical distribution. The research identifies leading authors, influential institutions, and key journals that contribute to the advancement of multicultural education literature. Results: The findings indicate a significant increase in research publications over the past decade, with growing international collaboration among scholars. However, disparities remain in the geographical distribution of research, with certain regions being underrepresented. Additionally, key themes such as intercultural dialogue, curriculum development, and inclusive pedagogy have gained prominence, reflecting the evolving academic discourse in multicultural education. Implications: This study has practical and theoretical implications. Theoretically, it enriches the literature by providing empirical data on global research trends. Practically, it offers strategic insights for policymakers, educators, and researchers in formulating effective policies and pedagogical strategies that integrate multicultural values into education. Novelty: The novelty of this research lies in its systematic bibliometric analysis, which provides a comprehensive mapping of multicultural education scholarship about the SDGs. This study serves as a foundational reference for future research and policy development aimed at building a more just, peaceful, and inclusive global society.

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming medical education by enabling personalised learning, adaptive feedback, simulation-based training, and automated assessments. While AI offers significant benefits, including curriculum optimisation and virtual tutoring, concerns around data privacy, access, and ethical implementation persist. Although bibliometric studies have explored AI in healthcare, comprehensive analyses of global collaboration and publication trends in AI-focused medical education remain limited. Aim: This study aims to analyse global research trends, key contributors, and thematic developments in the application of AI within medical education. Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database. The search strategy included terms such as “Medical Education”, “Artificial Intelligence”, “Machine Learning”, “Deep Learning”, “Clinical Training”, “Virtual Patients”, and “Simulation”. Data were analysed using the Bibliometrix R package to assess publication volume, keyword co-occurrence, author collaboration, and citation patterns. Results: Research output on AI in medical education has grown significantly, peaking in 2024 with 1,081 publications. The United States leads in publication volume, followed by Russia and Canada. “Artificial Intelligence” was the most frequently used keyword. Co-authorship and co-citation networks revealed strong international collaboration, with emerging themes in clinical competence, virtual simulation, and ethical considerations. Conclusion: The future of artificial intelligence in medical education is promising, with applications in personalised treatment plans, drug development, and virtual healthcare assistants. AI has transformative potential for medical education, particularly in personalised learning and simulation-based training. Strategic investment in AI literacy, ethical frameworks, and infrastructure is essential to ensure equitable and effective integration across global contexts.

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a pivotal tool for assessing health care professionals and plays an integral role in medical education. This study aims to map the bibliometric landscape of OSCE research, highlighting trends and key influencers. A comprehensive literature search was conducted for materials related to OSCE from January 2004 to December 2023, using the Web of Science Core Collection database. Bibliometric analysis and visualization were performed with VOSviewer and CiteSpace software tools. Our analysis indicates a consistent increase in OSCE-related publications over the study period, with a notable surge after 2019, culminating in a peak of activity in 2021. The United States emerged as a significant contributor, responsible for 30.86% (1626/5268) of total publications and amassing 44,051 citations. Coauthorship network analysis highlighted robust collaborations, particularly between the United States and the United Kingdom. Leading journals in this domain-BMC Medical Education, Medical Education, Academic Medicine, and Medical Teacher-featured the highest volume of papers, while The Lancet garnered substantial citations, reflecting its high impact factor (to be verified for accuracy). Prominent authors in the field include Sondra Zabar, Debra Pugh, Timothy J Wood, and Susan Humphrey-Murto, with Ronaldo M Harden, Brian D Hodges, and George E Miller being the most cited. The analysis of key research terms revealed a focus on "education," "performance," "competence," and "skills," indicating these are central themes in OSCE research. The study underscores a dynamic expansion in OSCE research and international collaboration, spotlighting influential countries, institutions, authors, and journals. These elements are instrumental in steering the evolution of medical education assessment practices and suggest a trajectory for future research endeavors. Future work should consider the implications of these findings for medical education and the potential areas for further investigation, particularly in underrepresented regions or emerging competencies in health care training.

Global trends in oral and maxillofacial radiology education

Global engagement has become vital to academic research, particularly in economics and environmental science. This bibliometric analysis utilizes Scopus Analyze and VOSviewer to explore trends, prolific authors, and the impact of global engagement research in these fields, identifying research gaps in reputable international databases like Scopus. The study aims to provide insights into the implications of global engagement on society, economy, and environment. Data from 105 papers were collected, with reputable international journals being the dominant source. Findings indicate a rising interest in global engagement research from 2014 to 2023, with the United States leading in contributions, followed by the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries. Themes prevalent in the research include education and sustainable development, focusing on cross-cultural learning experiences and the need for international cooperation to address global challenges. In environmental science, scholars explore sustainable development, the sustainable ocean economy, and the impact of economic growth on environmental sustainability, seeking to design effective strategies for green technologies and sustainable practices. This study's valuable insights contribute to business, economics, and environmental science, guiding future research and understanding global engagement's implications in various domains while identifying research gaps that offer opportunities for further investigation into novel aspects of global engagement.

Background. A comprehensive understanding of Iran's nursing system, its future trajectory, and the identification and comparison of scientific outputs in nursing research at the national level are of great significance. Therefore, this study was conducted to bibliometrically analyze Iranian articles in nursing using the Web of Science database. Methods. This study employed bibliometric analysis techniques. The research population consists of scientific outputs by Iranian researchers in nursing, indexed in the Web of Science citation database. Data were collected on October 8, 2023, from the Web of Science Core Collection, and relevant publications were screened from 1972 (the beginning of recorded data) to October 8, 2023 (the date of data collection). In the following, Excel and Biblioshiny software were used for bibliometric analysis, and VOS Viewer software was used to draw scientific maps. Results. A total of 3,527 documents were retrieved. The results indicated an upward trend in publication growth, with the earliest record dating back to 1972. The highest number of publications was recorded in 2021, with 515 documents. Original research articles constituted the majority of publications, while single-author documents were limited. Overall, 20.44% of the articles involved international collaboration. Fazlollah Ahmadi and Isa Mohammadi were identified as the most prolific authors in nursing research, while Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were recognized as the top three institutions in nursing-related scientific output. In terms of international collaboration networks in nursing research, the highest level of cooperation was observed between Iran and the United States, followed by Iran and Australia. Keyword analysis revealed that "care," "health," and "nurses" were the most frequently used terms among researchers. Additionally, co-occurrence network analysis showed the highest co-occurrence between the keywords "Iran" and "nursing," with 147 occurrences. Conclusion. The continuous growth of nursing research in Iran highlights its significant role in regional and global healthcare knowledge. This bibliometric study identified key trends, including the rise in international collaborations, the impact of prolific contributors, and a diverse research focus. Strengthening institutional support and expanding global partnerships are essential to sustain and enhance this trajectory. Such efforts will reinforce evidence-based practices and improve the quality of nursing education and healthcare delivery in Iran.

Patient safety education for nursing students has recently garnered interest. However, there is a paucity of data on the key areas and global trends over time. This study aims to analyze research patterns in the field of patient safety education for nursing students, identifying key contributors and global trends. A descriptive bibliometric approach was employed to analyze 782 articles related to patient safety education using data from the Web of Science Core Collection and CiteSpace 6.2. R4. Co-occurrence and co-citation analyses were conducted to identify prominent authors, institutions, countries, and common keywords. The analysis revealed contributions from 335 authors and 302 institutions across 78 countries. Levett-Jones T emerged as the most prolific author with 12 articles. The United States and the University System of Ohio were identified as the most productive countries and institutions, with 276 and 26 articles, respectively. Frequently occurring keywords included patient safety, education, medical education, simulation training, and standardized patients. This study provides valuable insights into the global research landscape of patient safety education in nursing, highlighting key contributors and trends. These findings can assist nursing students, educators, and researchers in identifying potential collaborators and informing future research to advance patient safety education in nursing.

This study aims to analyze global trends in STEM-based robotic physics education through a bibliometric analysis conducted using data obtained from the Scopus database. STEM and robotics are increasingly gaining attention as effective approaches in physics education, aligning with the 21st-century demand for technical skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. This research utilizes R bibliometric software to identify publication patterns, researcher collaborations, and key trends in STEM-based robotic physics education from 2008 to 2024. The methods involved searching for articles using the keywords "STEM AND robotic AND physics AND education," resulting in 53 downloaded and analyzed articles. The analysis was conducted in two main steps: data collection from Scopus and metadata analysis to identify research trends and collaboration networks among researchers. The results indicated a substantial growth in the volume of publications and international collaborations, with the United States leading in publication contributions, followed by Ukraine and Colombia. The key findings reveal that recent research trends focus on learning media and STEM. Meanwhile, topics that have received less attention include the impact of STEM on the curriculum and the development of critical thinking skills. Several topics, such as augmented reality and critical thinking, were also identified as challenging potential avenues for future research. This research offers significant guidance for future researchers in developing more effective STEM-based education strategies and suggests closer collaboration between academics and practitioners in various countries. Future research is recommended to explore alternative bibliometric analysis tools and expand the database coverage to enrich perspectives and enhance the scope of findings.

This systematic review and bibliometric analysis maps global research trends in reproductive health education (RHE) among high school students from 2015 to 2025. Data from 447 Scopus-indexed publications were analyzed using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny. Findings reveal a steady increase in publications, peaking in 2022, with significant contributions from China, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. Thematic analysis identified four dominant domains: adolescent behavior, school-based education, gender and rights, and policy innovation, indicating a shift from risk prevention toward empowerment-oriented and technology-based education. The study's novelty lies in its decade-long global synthesis, integrating bibliometric and systematic approaches. The findings underscore the need for inclusive, culturally sensitive, and digitally-enhanced curricula to inform evidence-based policymaking aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a gradual decline in kidney function due to kidney damage, necessitating patient education. Education helps patients understand and manage their condition, follow treatment plans, and prevent complications. Nurses are key in delivering education and support to improve patient’s quality of life. This research contributed to understanding trends in CKD patient education through bibliometric analysis, aiming to support the development of more effective interventions. The study used the Scopus database to identify publications related to dialysis and depression from 2004 to 2024. A total of 200 relevant publications were analyzed using VOSviewer software version 1.6.20. The analysis included visualization, keyword co-occurrence, and trends in health education research. The United States emerged as the top contributor, with 72 publications (36%). The interventions frequently discussed included health education, self-care, and patient education. This article provides a comprehensive overview of global trends in CKD patient education. It presents overall findings and highlights key themes such as the shift toward patient-centered education, the growing use of digital tools in health education, and the importance of early- stage interventions to enhance patient outcomes.

Tourism and education are two different disciplines that have a strong academic relationship with each other. While the tourism sector plays a critical role in terms of economic growth and cultural interaction, education is a key factor in enhancing the sustainability and quality of tourism. In this context, a systematic review of the academic literature examining the relationship between tourism and education is important for understanding current trends and providing guidance for future research. This study aims to identify academic research trends in the field of tourism and education by analyzing 1826 articles indexed in the SCOPUS database between 2000 and 2024 through bibliometric analysis. Parameters such as the change in the number of publications over the years, the most published and cited sources, the most published and cited countries, the most used keywords and co-occurrence authors’ keyword analysis were used in the study. The analyses were conducted with R Studio and VOSviewer programs. The findings reveal that academic publications in the field of tourism education have increased significantly in recent years, the themes of digitalization and sustainability have come to the fore, and this field has become increasingly interdisciplinary. The study contributes to academic and sectoral decision-making processes by providing a comprehensive framework for future research on tourism and education.