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ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of this study was to reveal research hotspots in the field of regional health information networks (RHINs) and use visualization techniques to explore their evolution over time and differences between countries. Methods: We conducted a literature review for a 50-year period and compared the prevalence of certain index terms during the periods 1963–1993 and 1994–2014 and in six countries. We applied keyword frequency analysis, keyword co-occurrence analysis, multidimensional scaling analysis, and network visualization technology. Results: The total number of keywords was found to increase with time. From 1994 to 2014, the research priorities shifted from hospital planning to community health planning. The number of keywords reflecting information-based research increased. The density of the knowledge network increased significantly, and partial keywords condensed into knowledge groups. All six countries focus on keywords including Information Systems; Telemedicine; Information Service; Medical Records Systems, Computerized; Internet; etc.; however, the level of development and some research priorities are different. Conclusions: RHIN research has generally increased in popularity over the past 50 years. The research hotspots are evolving and are at different levels of development in different countries. Knowledge network mapping and perceptual maps provide useful information for scholars, managers, and policy-makers.
Glossary of Abbreviations
Multidimensional Scaling Analysis (MDS): A means of visualizing the level of similarity between individual cases of a dataset.
Regional Health Information Network (RHIN): An architectural framework and tools for the integration of specialized autonomous systems and electronic health service platforms supported by an underlying health information infrastructure in a certain geographic region.
Regional Health Information Networks (RHINs): The plural form of RHIN.
RSQ: A squared correlation; in multidimensional scaling analyses, RSQ values represent the proportion of variance in the scaled data in the partition (row, matrix, or entire dataset), which is calculated from the distances between the actual data and the fitted model.
Declaration of interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Funding
The research reported in this paper was supported by the Shanxi Provincial Health Department of Scientific and Technological Projects (Grant No. 20100213) and an Outstanding Graduate Innovation Project in Shanxi Province (Grant No. 20133066).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Yanjun Wang
The work presented here was carried out as a collaboration among all the authors. YJW conceived the study, participated in its design and coordination, and drafted the manuscript. JZZ provided the theoretical framework and edited most of the manuscript. ALZ participated in the literature search and screening and helped draft the manuscript. WZ contributed to data analysis. HYD performed the literature screening and participated in the development of the manuscript. All the authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Jianzhong Zheng
The work presented here was carried out as a collaboration among all the authors. YJW conceived the study, participated in its design and coordination, and drafted the manuscript. JZZ provided the theoretical framework and edited most of the manuscript. ALZ participated in the literature search and screening and helped draft the manuscript. WZ contributed to data analysis. HYD performed the literature screening and participated in the development of the manuscript. All the authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Ailian Zhang
The work presented here was carried out as a collaboration among all the authors. YJW conceived the study, participated in its design and coordination, and drafted the manuscript. JZZ provided the theoretical framework and edited most of the manuscript. ALZ participated in the literature search and screening and helped draft the manuscript. WZ contributed to data analysis. HYD performed the literature screening and participated in the development of the manuscript. All the authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Wei Zhou
The work presented here was carried out as a collaboration among all the authors. YJW conceived the study, participated in its design and coordination, and drafted the manuscript. JZZ provided the theoretical framework and edited most of the manuscript. ALZ participated in the literature search and screening and helped draft the manuscript. WZ contributed to data analysis. HYD performed the literature screening and participated in the development of the manuscript. All the authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Haiyuan Dong
The work presented here was carried out as a collaboration among all the authors. YJW conceived the study, participated in its design and coordination, and drafted the manuscript. JZZ provided the theoretical framework and edited most of the manuscript. ALZ participated in the literature search and screening and helped draft the manuscript. WZ contributed to data analysis. HYD performed the literature screening and participated in the development of the manuscript. All the authors have read and approved the final manuscript.