Literature review on current research status of nursing economy in China

Objective To analyze literature related to nursing economy in China, so as to discover current situation of nursing economic development in China. Methods Bibliometric analysis was conducted on 1 053 articles about nursing economy in databases of CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform and VIP Database included from 2013 to 2017. Results From 2013 to 2017, number of papers published in Beijing had been relatively stable, with 101 papers being largest, 87.8% (925/1 053) of first authors coming from hospitals and schools; largest number of journal papers (90.3%, 951/1 053) being published in 329 journals; degree of literature cooperation was 2.24, with a co-authorship rate of 52.8%; 10 core authors were selected based on Price's law; and subjects of study were mainly about demand and supply of nursing services (33.5%) ; 21.1% of literature was funded by scientific research fund. Conclusions Nursing economy research content is extensive, but lack of theoretical system, development of this discipline is slow; nursing cost accounting and price deviate, it is urgent to build a reasonable cost accounting system; nursing service supply and demand is imbalanced, establishment of a precise whole-process care system is needed; the wave of silver hair to promote long-term care insurance emerged; it is needed to appropriately plan human resources allocation to realize career development of nursing staff. Key words: Nursing care; Economics; Research status; Bibliometrics