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Official Journal of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Trends in publication scholarship in Healthcare Infection: a 12-year analysis

Ramon Z. Shaban A D and Brett G. Mitchell B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld 4111, Australia.

B Faculty of Arts, Nursing and Theology, Avondale College of Higher Education, 185 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga, NSW 2076, Australia.

C School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, Dickson, ACT 2602, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: r.shaban@griffith.edu.au

Healthcare Infection 20(4) 85-88 https://doi.org/10.1071/HI15008
Submitted: 12 April 2015  Accepted: 18 May 2015   Published: 3 July 2015

Journal Compilation © Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control 2015

Abstract

Background: Healthcare Infection, the official publication of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention Control, is an international, peer-reviewed journal. This paper presents an analysis of the publication scholarship trends of articles published within Healthcare Infection, providing insight into future publication trends.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to explore published articles over a 12-year period, between 2002 and 2015. A content analysis was performed to examine the key thematic characteristics of all published articles. Citation data from articles published between 2011 and 2015 were extracted from Scopus.

Results: A total of 345 articles were published in Healthcare Infection during this time. The topics and content of the publications varied considerably. Approximately half the published articles were original research of which the majority were low level evidence. Other articles comprised discussion papers, review articles and editorials.

Conclusion: In recent years, there has been an increase in international collaborations and diversification of topics published, including urinary tract infection, sharps injuries, health economics, and antibiotic resistance and stewardship.

Additional keywords: infection control, infection prevention and control, literature, research.


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