TY - JOUR
T1 - Congenital heart disease research landscape in the Arab world
T2 - a 25-year bibliometric review
AU - Bitar, Fouad
AU - Arabi, Mariam
AU - Bulbul, Ziad
AU - Nemer, Georges
AU - Jassar, Yehya
AU - Bitar, Fadi F.
AU - Abdul Sater, Zahi
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
2024 Bitar, Arabi, Bulbul, Nemer, Jassar, Bitar and Abdul Sater.
PY - 2024/1/11
Y1 - 2024/1/11
N2 - Background: While research on congenital heart disease has been extensively conducted worldwide, comprehensive studies from developing countries and the Arab world remain scarce. Aim: This study aims to perform a bibliometric review of research on congenital heart disease in the Arab world from 1997 to 2022. Methods: We analyzed data from the Web of Science, encompassing various aspects such as topics, countries, research output, citations, authors, collaborations, and affiliations. This comprehensive science mapping analysis was done using the R statistical software's Bibliometrix Package. Results: The research output from Arab countries over the 25 years showed an average annual growth rate of 11.5%. However, Arab countries exhibited lower research productivity than the United States and Europe, with a 24-fold difference. There was substantial variation in research output among 22 Arab countries, with five countries contributing to 78% of the total publications. Most of the published research was clinical, with limited innovative contributions and a preference for regional journals. High-income Arab countries displayed higher research productivity and citation rates than their low-income developing counterparts. Despite being categorized as upper-middle-income, post-conflict countries exhibited low research productivity. About one-quarter of the published articles (26%) resulted from collaborative efforts among multiple countries, with the United States being the most frequent collaborator. Enhanced research productivity and impact output were strongly associated with increased international cooperation. Conclusion: Research productivity in the Arab region closely correlates with a country's GDP. Success hinges on governmental support, funding, international collaboration, and a clear research vision. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, educational institutions, and governments to strengthen research programs and nurture a research culture.
AB - Background: While research on congenital heart disease has been extensively conducted worldwide, comprehensive studies from developing countries and the Arab world remain scarce. Aim: This study aims to perform a bibliometric review of research on congenital heart disease in the Arab world from 1997 to 2022. Methods: We analyzed data from the Web of Science, encompassing various aspects such as topics, countries, research output, citations, authors, collaborations, and affiliations. This comprehensive science mapping analysis was done using the R statistical software's Bibliometrix Package. Results: The research output from Arab countries over the 25 years showed an average annual growth rate of 11.5%. However, Arab countries exhibited lower research productivity than the United States and Europe, with a 24-fold difference. There was substantial variation in research output among 22 Arab countries, with five countries contributing to 78% of the total publications. Most of the published research was clinical, with limited innovative contributions and a preference for regional journals. High-income Arab countries displayed higher research productivity and citation rates than their low-income developing counterparts. Despite being categorized as upper-middle-income, post-conflict countries exhibited low research productivity. About one-quarter of the published articles (26%) resulted from collaborative efforts among multiple countries, with the United States being the most frequent collaborator. Enhanced research productivity and impact output were strongly associated with increased international cooperation. Conclusion: Research productivity in the Arab region closely correlates with a country's GDP. Success hinges on governmental support, funding, international collaboration, and a clear research vision. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, educational institutions, and governments to strengthen research programs and nurture a research culture.
KW - Arab countries
KW - Children
KW - Congenital heart disease
KW - Developing and developed countries
KW - Limited resource countries
KW - Pediatric cardiology
KW - Research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85182979106&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1332291
DO - 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1332291
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85182979106
SN - 2297-055X
VL - 10
JO - Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
JF - Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
M1 - 1332291
ER -