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Publications on paediatric anaesthesia: a quantitative analysis of publication activity and international recognition
A M Brambrink1, D Ehrler, W F Dick
1Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
Insights
Research on pediatric anesthesia literature reveals a concentration of publications in a few journals, primarily from English-speaking countries like the USA and UK, which also show the highest international recognition.
Area of Science:
- Medical Literature Analysis
- Paediatric Anaesthesia Research
Background:
- A comprehensive review of international paediatric anaesthesia literature is currently unavailable.
- Understanding publication trends is crucial for assessing research dissemination and impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and catalogue articles on clinical paediatric anaesthesia.
- To determine publishing journals and assess publication activity and international recognition of countries from 1993-1998.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a hand search of 12 anaesthesia journals and a Medline search of 3,900 journals.
- Analyzed publication data, including country of origin, journal impact factors, and author affiliations.
Main Results:
- 2259 articles on paediatric anaesthesia were published between 1993-1998 in 295 journals.
- The USA (35.4%) and UK (12.6%) were the leading contributors, with most articles in English.
- Publications were concentrated in a small number of anaesthesia journals, with UK authors showing high publication activity and US/UK authors achieving the highest impact factors.
Conclusions:
- Paediatric anaesthesia research is concentrated in a limited number of journals.
- English-speaking countries, particularly the USA and UK, dominate the field and achieve the highest international recognition.
Abstract:
A comprehensive compilation of the current international literature on paediatric anaesthesia is lacking. The aim of this study was to identify all articles on clinical practice in paediatric anaesthesia, to name the respective journals, and to assess the publication activity and international recognition of selected countries for a 6-yr period (1993-1998). The search comprised an article-to-article evaluation ('hand search') of 12 peer-reviewed anaesthesia journals, as well as an Internet-based ('SilverPlatter') Medline-search (3,900 medical journals, US National Library of Medicine), both limited to original articles, case reports, reviews and editorials. Selected physical characteristics, for example the number of infants and children aged 0-14 yr old, the number of anaesthetists (specialists) and current impact factors (Science Citation Index) served to assess publication activity and international recognition. During the time period studied, 2259 articles (377/yr) were published on paediatric anaesthesia in 295 medical journals. The articles were primarily written in English (85.1%) and the majority originated from the USA (35.4%) and the UK (12.6%). The largest number of publications (77.7%) appeared in 29 anaesthesia journals, all referenced in Medline, with 46% being published by only five journals. Most authors published in journals of their home country/region. Authors from the UK ranked highest in publication activity, followed by those from Canada, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark. The highest impact factor was achieved by US and UK authors. We conclude that publications on paediatric anaesthesia are clustered in a small number of journals and are written predominantly by authors from English-speaking countries, who achieved the highest international recognition.