Clinical reasoning and clinical judgment in nursing research: A bibliometric analysis.

Aims: To characterize the thematic foci, structure, and evolution of nursing research on clinical reasoning and judgment.

Design: Bibliometric analysis.

Methods: We used a bibliometric method to analyze 1528 articles.

Data source: We searched the Scopus bibliographic database on January 7, 2024.

Results: Through a keyword co-occurrence analysis, we found the most frequent keywords to be clinical judgment, clinical reasoning, nursing education, simulation, nursing, clinical decision-making, nursing students, nursing assessment, critical thinking, nursing diagnosis, patient safety, nurses, nursing process, clinical competence, and risk assessment. The focal themes, structure, and evolution of nursing research on clinical reasoning and judgment were revealed by keyword mapping, clustering, and time-tracking.

Conclusion: By assessing key nursing research areas, we extend the current discourse on clinical reasoning and clinical judgment for researchers, educators, and practitioners. Critical challenges must still be met by nursing professionals with regard to their use of clinical reasoning and judgment within their clinical practice. Further knowledge and comprehension of the clinical reasoning process and the development of clinical judgment must be successfully translated from research to nursing education and practice.

Implications for the profession: This study highlights the nursing knowledge gaps with regard to nurses' use of clinical reasoning and judgment and encourages nursing educators and professionals to focus on developing nurses' clinical reasoning and judgment with regard to their patients' safety.

Impact: In addressing nurses' use of clinical reasoning and judgment, and with regard to patient safety in particular, this study found that, in certain clinical settings, the use of clinical reasoning and judgment remains a challenge for nursing professionals. This study should thus have an effect on nursing academics' research choices, on nursing educators' teaching practices, and on nurses' clinical practices.

Reporting method: Relevant EQUATOR guidelines have been adhered to by employing recognized bibliometric reporting methods.