Bibliometric analysis of orthopedic theses in Turkey

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the topics distribution trend and evaluate the characteristics of orthopedics and traumatology residency theses during a 20-year period using a bibliometric analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2020, orthopedics and traumatology residency theses of all centers providing postgraduate education in Turkey were reviewed from the online application of the National Thesis Center of Higher Education Council. Using the advanced search screen, a total of 1,907 theses were reached. Massachusetts University Orthopaedics and Traumatology Fellowship Programs and Turkish Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology sub-study groups. RESULTS: During the study period, the three most studied topics ones were orthopedic trauma (n=536; 28.1%), adult reconstruction and arthroplasty (n=301; 15.8%) and spine surgery (n=203; 10.6%). The least studied subject was bone and soft tissue tumors with 3.8% (n=73). The topic with the highest rate of publication in all years was again orthopedic trauma. There was a very strong positive (r=0.876) correlation between the total number of thesis publications and the years (p<0.001; R2=0.767). Based on institutions types, the number of theses published in the training and research hospitals increased as of 2016. More theses were published than expected on orthopedic trauma, adult reconstruction and arthroplasty, sports injuries and arthroscopy, shoulder and elbow surgery, foot and ankle surgery in the training and research hospitals (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The orthopedic research trends were differentiated over the years in our country. The classification of the orthopedic thesis topics shows in which orthopedics subfield research subjects are concentrated in our country and in which fields, research is needed.