Application scope of knowledge graphs in nursing: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Informatics
• Nursing Research
• Knowledge Management

Background:

• Knowledge graph technology is increasingly applied in healthcare.
• A systematic overview of knowledge graph applications specifically in nursing is lacking.
• This study addresses the need for a macro-level analysis of the research landscape.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically map the research panorama of knowledge graph applications in nursing.
• To stratify studies by developmental stages using an evidence maturity framework.
• To identify structural gaps and translation barriers for future research and practice.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey framework and PRISMA-ScR checklist.
• Systematic searches were performed across multiple major databases (e.g., PubMed, Embase, CINAHL).
• Included articles were analyzed and categorized into five developmental phases.

Main Results:

• 30 studies were included, primarily methodological (n=15).
• Most studies focused on knowledge graph construction (40%) and usability evaluation (26.7%).
• Research shows domain bias towards nursing education, with scarce studies in clinical nursing scenarios.

Conclusions:

• Nursing knowledge graph research is in an exploratory phase, emphasizing technical aspects over clinical impact.
• There is a lack of objective validation for the clinical application effects of knowledge graphs in nursing.
• Future research must be evidence-driven, focusing on clinical application, study design optimization, and data standardization for practical integration.