Unveiling Global Research Dynamics in Medical Education Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4: A Scientometric Study

Introduction: The pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which promotes complete and equitable quality education, is paramount in medical training. Understanding global research trends is crucial to aligning efforts with this goal. The current study maps the intellectual landscape of medical education research to assess its alignment with the principles of SDG 4. Aim: To analyse global research trends of medical education research, evaluating their focus on quality, inclusivity, and innovation as aligned with SDG 4. Materials and Methods: A scientometric study was conducted on 11,265 global publications retrieved from the Web of Science database for the time period 2016- 2024, using visualisation tools like VOSviewer and Bibliometrix to examine trends in productivity, citation impact, international collaboration, and thematic evolution. Results: Research output peaked in 2021 before stabilising. Open-access articles made up 50% of all publications. Both open and closed-access papers received a similar number of citations. The USA led in publication volume with 5,166 papers, while European countries like the Netherlands showed higher citation efficiency (ACPP 13.21). The journal Cureus published the most papers, whereas BMJ Open and the Journal of General Internal Medicine achieved higher citation efficiency. Research in this field is highly collaborative, with an average of 5.45 authors per paper. However, international collaboration remains limited at 15.36%. Thematic analysis highlights a strong focus on evidence-based practices such as simulation and a major shift toward digital learning during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Conclusion: Medical education research demonstrates strong alignment with SDG 4 through its emphasis on quality and innovative pedagogies. However, to achieve truly equitable education, it must address the geographical disparities in research influence. The field also needs to promote stronger global collaboration to ensure inclusive sharing of knowledge.