Looking to the future through data: The rise and potential of gamification in medical education – A bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2024

BACKGROUND: Advancements in educational technology have highlighted the significant potential of gamification in medical education. Herein we employed bibliometric methods to systematically analyze the development pathways and prospects of gamification in medical education from 2000 to 2024, offering data-driven insights for educators and researchers. METHODS: Using the Web of Science Core Collection database, we identified 364 relevant articles on gamification in medical education published from 2000 to 2024 through a specific search strategy. Visualization analyses of publication trends, research hotspots, collaboration networks, and highly cited literature were performed using tools such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, HisCite Pro, Bibliometrix, and ggplot2. RESULTS: The analyzed literature spanned 796 institutions, with the United States and European countries leading in publication numbers and collaborative exchanges. The National University of Singapore made the most significant contributions, and Professor Tobias Raupach emerged as the most prolific and highly cited author. JMIR Serious Games was identified as the most influential journal in this field. Keyword clustering analysis indicated that teaching technologies in medical education are evolving from basic gamification towards more immersive, intelligent, and interactive learning experiences. CONCLUSION: Gamification enhances learner engagement and outcomes in medical education, fostering core medical competencies, and professional qualities. We report key development trends and research hotspots, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration. Future research should explore the long-term benefits of gamified learning, personalized learning paths, and the integration of gamification within ethical and standard frameworks to drive continuous innovation in medical education.