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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
05:02
Comparing Bibliometric Analysis Using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Databases
Published on: October 24, 2019
Uncertainty in general practice: A bibliometric analysis
Wendy Hu1, Celine Farkash2, Boaz Shulruf3
1MBBS (Hons), MHA, PhD, FRACGP, Professor of Medical Education, Associate Dean, Learning and Innovation, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW; Adjunct Professor, School of Population Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW.
Australian Journal of General Practice
|August 6, 2026
Summary
Uncertainty is a common feature across all medical specialties, not unique to general practice. This study suggests uncertainty is a systemic aspect of clinical work, impacting medical education and collaboration.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Clinical Practice
- Healthcare Research
Background:
- Uncertainty is widely perceived as a hallmark of general practice.
- Empirical data comparing uncertainty across medical specialties is scarce.
- This study addresses the prevalence of uncertainty in general practice versus other medical fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if uncertainty is exclusive to general practice or a shared characteristic of clinical work.
- To compare the volume and nature of research on uncertainty across different medical disciplines.
- To challenge the notion of general practice exceptionalism in managing uncertainty.
Main Methods:
- Bibliometric analysis of 3757 articles from PubMed (1966-2025).
- Categorization of 287 relevant studies by medical specialty and study type.
- Assessment of thematic focus and empirical content within the selected literature.
Main Results:
- Publication counts on uncertainty were similar between general practice (87) and other specialties (94).
- General practice literature featured a higher proportion of empirical studies (67% vs 61%).
- A recent surge in non-general practice literature indicates increasing interdisciplinary focus on uncertainty.
Conclusions:
- The study challenges the idea that general practice uniquely manages uncertainty.
- Uncertainty appears to be a systemic characteristic of medical practice across disciplines.
- Findings have significant implications for medical training, professional identity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
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