Uncertainty in general practice: A bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Uncertainty is often considered a defining feature of general practice, yet empirical comparisons across medical specialties are limited. This study investigates whether uncertainty is uniquely prevalent in general practice or a commonality of clinical work across medical disciplines. METHOD: A bibliometric analysis of 3757 articles from PubMed (1966-2025) was conducted. A total of 287 relevant studies were categorised by specialty and study type to assess thematic focus and empirical content. RESULTS: Publications on uncertainty were comparable in number between general practice (n = 87) and non-general practice specialties (n = 94), with general practice publications showing a higher proportion of empirical studies (67% vs 61%). A recent acceleration in non-general practice literature suggests growing interdisciplinary interest. DISCUSSION: Findings challenge the narrative of general practice exceptionalism regarding managing uncertainty, suggesting that uncertainty is a systemic feature of medical practice. This has implications for medical education, professional identity and cross-specialty collaboration.