Qin Xiao, Wenjing Chang, Jing Yao, Na Zhao, Jing He
BACKGROUND: Renal dialysis nursing is critical for improving survival and quality of life in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This study systematically analyzed global research trends and frontiers in renal dialysis nursing from 1965 to 2025 using bibliometric methods.
METHODS: A total of 608 peer-reviewed articles published between 1965 and 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace software was employed for co-occurrence analysis, keyword clustering, and burst detection based on data from 2002 to 2025 to ensure analytical robustness. Temporal trends were divided into three phases (1988-2002, 2003-2012, and 2013-2025), and core themes were identified through keyword co-occurrence networks.
DISCUSSION: Results revealed sustained growth in publications after 2003, peaking at 53 articles in 2015 and remaining at a high level through 2025. Core themes included social support systems, home dialysis, nurse-led case management, and nutritional risk assessment. Emerging frontiers focused on conservative management optimization, patient burden, and young adult care. The study highlights global shifts toward personalized, telemedicine-enabled care models and emphasizes the need for China to strengthen social support frameworks and remote care technologies.