Tracing the Evolution of Research on Breaking Bad News: A Global Analysis of Publications

The study analyzed global research trends on breaking bad news (BBN) in healthcare from 2000 to 2025. A total of 843 publications were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed using bibliometric techniques and visualization tools. The research showed steady growth in publications in this field, with the United States emerging as the leading contributor. The journal Patient Education and Counseling dominated in publishing articles on this topic. Main research areas included oncology, palliative care, and communication, while emerging themes included empathy and telemedicine. Research on breaking bad news has evolved into a mature, interdisciplinary field with increasing emphasis on patient-centered communication.