Palliative care integration in psychiatric disorders: bibliometric analysis revealing five distinct research clusters

Background The integration of palliative care for individuals with psychiatric disorders is critically important yet remains under-researched, highlighting substantial gaps in healthcare systems and access to integrated care.

Aims This bibliometric analysis systematically examines the research landscape of palliative care for psychiatric disorders, identifying key themes, trends, influential sources and knowledge gaps to inform future research and policy.

Method A bibliometric analysis of 82 peer-reviewed publications (1985–2024) from the Web of Science Core Collection was conducted using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer, analysing publication trends, influential sources and countries, keyword patterns, thematic evolution and emerging research clusters.

Results The analysis reveals a significant acceleration in research activity after 2017. Five distinct research clusters emerged, mapping the core intersections of the field: (1) Palliative Care in Dementia and Related Cognitive Disorders; (2) Addressing Psychological and Spiritual Needs at the End of Life; (3) The Interplay of Mental Health and Physical Illness in Palliative Settings; (4) Optimising Quality of Life in Terminal Cancer Care; and (5) Addressing Pain in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. A substantial Western-centric research bias was also observed.

Conclusions This study provides the first bibliometric map of psychiatric palliative care, identifying key thematic intersections and research gaps. The findings highlight an urgent need for integrated care pathways, culturally sensitive methodologies and expanded global research. Addressing how social determinants of health impact access to quality palliative care for this vulnerable population is critical for achieving health equity.