Six Sigma research in healthcare is associated with global health, research and development indicators: A scientometrics study based on countries by income groups.

内容摘要

Six Sigma is widely implemented in healthcare to enhance efficiency, minimize medical errors, and improve patient safety. However, the global distribution and impact of Six Sigma research in healthcare remain underexplored. This study conducts a scientometrics analysis of Six Sigma research in healthcare, examining its association with global health, research, and development indicators across income groups. A mixed-methods scientometrics study was employed, utilizing data from Scopus, PubMed, and other databases. Regression models and meta-analyses were applied to evaluate associations between Six Sigma research productivity and global health, research and development indicators. Publications were categorized by World Bank income groups, and bibliometric parameters such as impact were analysed. A total of 804 Six Sigma-related publications in healthcare were identified, with high-income countries contributing 70.8% of the total output. The number of publications was significantly associated with adult mortality reduction in high- and upper-middle income countries (p <0.01). Research and development expenditure showed a strong positive correlation with Six Sigma research output across all income groups. However, low-income countries exhibited minimal research activity, with no significant associations detected. Six Sigma research in healthcare is predominantly concentrated in high-income countries, with increasing but uneven growth in upper-middle and low-middle income countries. The limited engagement of low-income countries underscores a critical research gap. Six Sigma se ha implementado ampliamente en el &#xe1;mbito de la salud para mejorar la eficiencia, reducir los errores m&#xe9;dicos y fortalecer la seguridad del paciente. Sin embargo, la distribuci&#xf3;n global y el impacto de la investigaci&#xf3;n sobre Six Sigma son poco explorados. El objetivo es analizar la investigaci&#xf3;n en Six Sigma aplicada a la salud, y su relaci&#xf3;n con indicadores globales de salud, investigaci&#xf3;n y desarrollo seg&#xfa;n los niveles de ingreso. Estudio cienciom&#xe9;trico de m&#xe9;todos mixtos, basado en datos obtenidos de Scopus, PubMed y otras bases de datos. Se aplicaron modelos de regresi&#xf3;n y meta-an&#xe1;lisis para examinar la relaci&#xf3;n entre la productividad en investigaci&#xf3;n sobre Six Sigma y los indicadores globales de salud, investigaci&#xf3;n y desarrollo en pa&#xed;ses de ingresos altos (PAI), ingresos medio-altos (PIMA) y bajos (PBI). Se identificaron 804 publicaciones relacionadas con Six Sigma en el &#xe1;mbito de la salud, 70,8% aportadas por PAI. El n&#xfa;mero de publicaciones se asoci&#xf3; con la reducci&#xf3;n de mortalidad en adultos en PAI y PIMA (p < 0,01). El gasto en investigaci&#xf3;n y desarrollo mostr&#xf3; una fuerte correlaci&#xf3;n positiva con la producci&#xf3;n cient&#xed;fica en Six Sigma en todos los grupos de ingresos. Los PBI registraron una actividad investigativa m&#xed;nima, sin detectarse asociaciones significativas. La investigaci&#xf3;n sobre Six Sigma en salud se concentra predominantemente en los PAI, con un crecimiento progresivo pero desigual en los PIMA y pa&#xed;ses de bajos y medianos ingresos. La escasa participaci&#xf3;n de los PBIs evidencia una brecha cr&#xed;tica en la investigaci&#xf3;n.