OBJECTIVE: We analyzed research themes in the field of disaster medicine in China to provide references for researchers to understand the research status and developing trends of this field.
METHODS: Published journal articles were retrieved. A social network analysis was conducted to visualize the relations of high-frequency key words. A cluster analysis was used to classify key words. A strategic diagram analysis was conducted to visualize clusters across the entire research field.
RESULTS: We retrieved 3,079 articles, from which 1,749 articles and 8,284 key words were identified after screening. High-frequency key words were classified into 6 clusters. "Medical rescue" had the highest degree and betweenness centralities. Cluster 4 was located in Quadrant I of the strategic diagrams.
CONCLUSIONS: "Medical rescue" is the core key word, and it serves a pivotal "bridge" function. "Emergencies" and similar terms are key words with special statuses. "Natural disaster medical rescue" and "fundamental theories of disaster medicine" constitute the primary and secondary core themes, respectively. "On-site emergency treatment techniques" is a marginalized theme. The other themes are emerging themes that offer considerable scope for future development. Generally, the scope and depth of investigations in this field should be improved. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;page 1 of 5).