Global trends in sustainable healthcare research: A bibliometric analysis

Introduction

This study maps the development of sustainable healthcare research, identifying key contributors, collaborative networks and emerging trends.

Objective

To provide a comprehensive overview of the sustainable healthcare research landscape, offering insights to inform strategic planning, resource allocation and future research.

Methods

A bibliometric analysis of 842 publications up to May 2024 was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection. The analysis examined publication year, authorship, countries, journals, citations, research fields, subjects and methodologies. VOSviewer was used to visualise knowledge networks and research priorities.

Results

Over 70% of publications emerged in the last 5 years, with the USA, England and Australia as leading contributors. Key trends include integrating environmental sustainability into healthcare and advancing green technologies.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the rapid growth of sustainable healthcare research, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers and healthcare professionals seeking to enhance the resilience and sustainability of healthcare systems.