Evolving trends in medical trainee wellbeing research from 2014 to 2023: A bibliometric analysis

Medical trainees, including medical students and residents, face considerable stress, necessitating research on their wellbeing. Here we performed a bibliometric analysis to provide an overview of research on wellbeing in this vulnerable population.

A systematic search of the Web of Science Core Collection from 2014 to 2023 identified 1148 relevant publications. Bibliometric techniques were used to analyze publication counts, countries and institutions, authors, journals, and keyword co-occurrence.

The United States led publication output. Clusters of research topics included mental health symptoms for medical students, professional challenges for residents, multiple aspects of wellbeing, and interventions. COVID-19 emerged as a significant topic, with new topics such as narrative medicine and professionalism emerging in the post-pandemic era.

The research landscape on medical trainee wellbeing is evolving and was significantly reshaped by COVID-19. Emerging topics such as narrative medicine and professionalism reflect a shift towards comprehensive approaches. Future research should investigate online learning on trainee wellbeing, address mistreatment and trauma, and integrate narrative medicine to enhance empathy and resilience. This focus will provide actionable insights for improving the wellbeing of medical trainees and creating a healthier training environment.