Satisfaction Among Chronic Disease Patients In Primary Healthcare Institutions: A Bibliometric Review

Abstract

With changes in global lifestyles, chronic diseases have become a significant economic burden and present major challenges to primary healthcare systems worldwide. Patient satisfaction is increasingly recognized as a crucial metric for assessing and improving the quality of chronic disease care in primary healthcare institutions. The bibliometric review aims to systematically assess and visualize the global research landscape on patient satisfaction with chronic diseases in primary healthcare settings. The review summarizes research trends and hot topics, providing a basis for future research directions and developments. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 302 publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, published between 2010 and 2025. VOS viewer software was employed to analyze co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence, thematic clusters, and co-citation networks. The United States emerged as the leading country both in research output and collaboration within the field of patient satisfaction in chronic disease care at the primary healthcare level. Publications increased between 2010 and 2018 and have declined slightly since then. Annual citation counts have continued to rise through 2024, suggesting a transition from quantity expansion to theoretical deepening and knowledge accumulation. Six major theme clusters were identified, core research hotspots include service quality and care management, yet longitudinal and comprehensive analyses of patient satisfaction remain limited. Research on patient satisfaction in chronic disease management within primary healthcare institutions shows fluctuating trends but remains an active field. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and the development of standardized satisfaction measurement tools to better guide policy and clinical practice. Enhanced emphasis on digital health interventions and telemedicine, as well as the promotion of patient-centered innovation, will be critical for advancing the quality of primary healthcare for chronic disease patients.