3D printing technologies in nursing research: A bibliometric and content analysis

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Technology
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• 3D printing is revolutionizing healthcare, offering novel approaches to clinical practice, education, and patient care.
• The integration of 3D printing into nursing is expanding, significantly impacting training methodologies and healthcare service delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric and qualitative content analysis of 3D printing in nursing.
• To examine publication trends, research characteristics, and thematic patterns of 3D printing technologies within the nursing field.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 21 Web of Science-indexed publications.
• Utilized Biblioshiny and VOSviewer for analyzing publication trends, geographical distribution, keywords, and collaborations.
• Employed thematic coding for identifying core research themes and subthemes.

Main Results:

• 3D printing adoption in nursing is growing, with key applications in education and clinical practice.
• Analysis revealed trends in publication output, international collaborations, and prevalent research keywords.
• Identified themes include enhanced learning efficiency, skill development, workflow optimization, improved communication, and elevated patient care quality.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing significantly contributes to nursing by boosting learning, skill acquisition, and operational efficiency.
• The technology enhances communication, patient comfort, and overall care quality in educational and clinical nursing environments.
• This review provides evidence-based insights for future research, education, and clinical applications of 3D printing in nursing.