Conceptual Evolution and Research Focus of Narrative Competence in Healthcare Professionals:CiteSpace-Based Knowledge Mapping.

Abstract

Objective To systematically review the conceptual evolution and research focus of narrative competence among healthcare professionals and to reveal the differences and complementary relationships between Chinese and English articles. Methods CiteSpace-based knowledge mapping was conducted on the articles related to narrative competence published between 2001 and 2025,including 103 articles from four major English databases (PubMed,Web of Science Core Collection,APA PsycINFO,and CINAHL) and 186 articles from three major Chinese databases (CNKI,Wanfang Data,and VIP).Keyword co-occurrence analysis was performed to identify research hotspots,and cluster analysis to reveal differences in research orientations between English and Chinese articles.Keyword bursts were detected to track the temporal trajectory of conceptual evolution. Results The concept of narrative competence shows a trend of evolving from abstract humanistic ideas to concrete clinical competencies.English articles focus more on theoretical construction and humanistic connotations,while Chinese articles emphasize application and operability,translating narrative competence into measurable core abilities. Conclusions The development of narrative competence follows a trajectory of "meta-concept-dimensionalization-operationalization framework".English and Chinese articles represent two complementary pathways:theoretical deepening and practical transformation.Future efforts should promote the standardization and localized integration of the conceptual framework,assessment tools,and training systems for narrative competence.