The purpose of this study is to analyse the trends manifested in research literature from the field of healthcare management, with emphasis on bibliometric features and different influencing factors. For this, a search was conducted of nine academic databases between January and May 2021. Article features were registered in our database after first applying the validation criteria used for their inclusion. Then, data regarding the publication of the included articles were collected. The analysis focused on trends over time, topic, and journals in which they were published. Moreover, the effect of some factors on the citation of articles was analysed. Our results showed that the 250 analysed articles were published in 139 journals, and many of were by researchers affiliated with universities in the United States. Over time, the publication of analysed articles and their number of citations registered a continuous increase. The most common topics of focus were healthcare management systems and their challenges. In our study, we identified factors that significantly affect citation number, such as number of years since publication, the number of words in the title, and the number of authors of an article. In addition, major gaps were identified, as were new unresolved challenges that can trigger new research ideas.

Health service quality is important for adequate and equitable health systems. However, research on this topic may reflect imbalances in global scientific production, visibility and collaboration. This study examines global trends and disparities in health service quality research over the past decade, focusing on thematic priorities, geographic distribution and structural inequities. This review aims to (1) analyse the evolution of the quality of health services literature over time, assessing published articles and their impacts; (2) identify key trends, themes and significant contributions; (3) examine the geographical distribution of contributions to identify which nations excel in this area; (4) identify the key journals, authors and affiliations that significantly improve the quality of health services research; (5) assess the main factors that influence the citation impact of high-quality health services research; and (6) identify gaps in the quality of health services literature and suggest future research directions based on bibliometric insights. A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. We integrated bibliometric analysis (using co-word networks, citation counts and keyword trends) with econometric modelling to map and synthesize publication patterns, visibility and thematic priorities. Specifically, panel regression was applied to examine the structural and content-related predictors of citation impact across a longitudinal dataset of peer-reviewed studies (2014–2023). The combination of bibliometric and econometric methods enhanced the analytical depth of the systematic review, enabling quantification of disparities and explanatory insights beyond descriptive synthesis. Out of 9121 records identified, 8857 articles were included in the final analysis. The included studies covered a broad range of regions and languages. Global publication volume increased steadily, peaking in 2021. Three dominant research themes were identified: patient experience, service delivery and health outcomes. Institutions from high-income countries, particularly those in North America and Europe, accounted for the most output and citations. Articles in English had significantly higher visibility than non-English publications. Citation impact was positively associated with international collaboration and reference count but negatively associated with title length and excessive keyword use. The review relied on a single database [Web of Science (WoS)], which may have excluded relevant articles indexed elsewhere. Citation lag affected newer studies. The bibliometric nature of the study limits direct conclusions on the quality of interventions or clinical outcomes. Despite the growth in global research output, significant disparities persist in the visibility and influence of health services quality research. Linguistic, institutional and geographic factors contribute to uneven dissemination and recognition. Promoting inclusive publishing practices and fostering cross-regional collaboration are essential to reducing structural inequities and enhancing the global relevance of health systems research. Registration: The protocol is publicly available through the Protocol Exchange Platform and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.261ge8ypyg47/v1 .

Public understanding of science and his involvement in different aspects of research activities impact contemporary life more than ever. This study compares civic engagement with science across European regions and assesses the determinants of this kind of engagement. The research is based on the Special Eurobarometer data (2021) and uses non-parametric tests and multilevel logistic regression. The results show significant differences between European regions in civic engagement with science, with the most notable distinctions between Northern Europe and the other European regions. The main determinants of civic engagement with science as scientific literacy, citizens’ attitudes towards science, their manifested interest, informing tools, and observed benefits, provide valuable insights for decisional actors to foster greater engagement with science among citizens. The considered determinants reveal a comprehensive view of the complex relationships between individual attitudes, information sources, and perceived benefits, and highlight the diversity of behaviours towards science and community heterogeneity across the continent.