Blueprints of Care: A Two-Decade Global Bibliometric Atlas of Neurosurgical Nursing (2006-2025).

Abstract

To delineate the developmental trajectory of Neurosurgical Nursing research from 2006-2025, identify emerging frontiers, and map country-level collaboration patterns to inform future practice and research priorities. A bibliometric analysis was performed using records retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and PubMed (search window: January 2006-January 2026). To ensure a complete annual observation period, publications from 2006-2025 were included for analysis. After data cleaning and deduplication, 2,774 records were retained. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R software were used to examine publication trends, journal distribution, collaboration networks, co-citation structures, and keyword co-occurrence and temporal evolution. Annual publication output increased steadily, with accelerated growth after 2018, suggesting field maturation. The United States and China contributed the largest volumes, while Canada, Australia, and several European countries showed strong collaborative connectivity. Co-citation and keyword analyses indicated a thematic shift from disease- and perioperative-centered studies toward integrated care models emphasizing neurocritical care, patient safety, enhanced recovery pathways, telemedicine-enabled care, and survivorship. Emerging themes included COVID-19-related adaptation, risk assessment, multidisciplinary coordination, and technology-supported nursing practices. International collaboration networks became increasingly interconnected, particularly across North America, Europe, and Asia. Over the past two decades, Neurosurgical Nursing research has progressed toward implementation-oriented, systems-based, and patient-centered scholarship. This mapping clarifies the field's intellectual structure, thematic evolution, and collaborative landscape, supporting evidence-informed prioritization of future research and quality improvement efforts.