A Bibliometric Analysis of Pain Management Nursing.

BACKGROUND

Pain Management Nursing (PMN), the official journal of the American Society for PMN, marked its 25th anniversary in 2025. This milestone provides an opportune time to reflect on the journal's development and impact on nursing-related pain management research.

OBJECTIVES

To provide an overview of PMN's publication trends, primary themes, global reach, and collaborative author networks.

METHODS

This review used a bibliometric analysis approach to gather and analyze various metrics related to PMN's published work to provide an overview of the journal's growth, primary themes, global reach, and collaboration networks.

RESULTS

PMN's scholarly activity has steadily grown over a quarter century with contributions from over 4,800 authors across more than 70 countries. Accelerated output over the past 10 years suggests increased research productivity within the discipline. Analysis of keywords over time showed a shift from foundational topics to more rigorous research methodologies. There has been a strong research emphasis on pain management practices in relation to patient age and gender, as well as assessment approaches. Opportunities exist to investigate links between patient education and clinical competence with procedural outcomes, health disparities, and diversity-related factors on the experience of pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Since its inception, PMN has reflected the evolution of PMN research, emphasizing multimodal and holistic treatment approaches. PMN continues to advance evidence-based practice and address critical policy issues with an increasing focus on interprofessional collaboration and technology-enhanced patient education and nursing professional development.