Mapping the scientific research on integrated care: a bibliometric and social network analysis

Integrated care (IC) is the cornerstone of the sustainable development of the medical and health system. A thorough examination of the existing scientific literature on IC is essential for assessing the present state of knowledge on this subject. This review seeks to offer an overview of evidence-based knowledge, pinpoint existing knowledge gaps related to IC, and identify areas requiring further research.

Data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, from 2010 to 2020. Bibliometrics and social network analysis were used to explore and map the knowledge structure, research hotspots, development status, academic groups and future development trends of IC.

A total of 7,501 articles were obtained. The number of publications on IC was rising in general. Healthcare science services were the most common topics. The United States contributed the highest number of articles. The level of collaboration between countries and between authors was found to be relatively low. The keywords were stratified into four clusters: IC, depression, integrative medicine, and primary health care. In recent years, complementary medicine has become a hotspot and will continue to be a focus.

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of global research hotspots and trends in IC, and highlights the characteristics, challenges, and potential solutions of IC. To address resource fragmentation, collaboration difficulties, insufficient financial incentives, and poor information sharing, international collaboration needs to be strengthened to promote value co-creation and model innovation in IC. The contribution of this study lies in enhancing people's understanding of the current state of IC research, guiding scholars to discover new research perspectives, and providing valuable references for researchers and policymakers in designing and implementing effective IC strategies.