Current status and development of geriatric nursing abroad in recent 10 years: a bibliometrics analysis

Abstract

Objective To analyze the recent 10 years' researches on geriatric nursing in foreign countries by the method of bibliometrics, so as to grasp and explore the current context, research status and hotspots of geriatric nursing research abroad. Methods Based on the data of Pubmed database from 2008 to 2017, this paper analyzed the annual volume, journal distribution, research status and hotspots of geriatric nursing in foreign countries from the quantitative and qualitative aspects, utilizing the research methods of bibliometrics, social network analysis and statistics research method. Results A total of 25 579 articles were retrieved. Over the past 10 years, the number of literatures on geriatric nursing in foreign countries has been increasing slowly. Journal of Clinical Nursing has the largest number of articles, accounting for 2.98% of the total number of articles. At present, the quality of life of the elderly, the health evaluation and fall of the elderly, Alzheimer's disease, the management of old-age care institutions, and geriatric nursing education have become the research hotspots abroad. Conclusions The quality of papers on foreign nursing research abroad is relatively high, and the contents and perspectives of research are diversified. To explore the research status and hot spots of geriatric nursing in foreign countries in recent 10 years can provide references for relevant research and policy formulation in China. Key words: Geriatric nursing; Research hotspots abroad; Bibliometrics