Research Trend Analysis of Do-Not-Resuscitate Decision: Based on Text Network Analysis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify a research trend of studies related to the Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) decision making process in Korea. METHODS: Assessing through five computerized databases, 889 studies were reviewed and of these 32 were included. An integrative literature review and text network analysis were applied to examine the research. The keywords from each article's abstracts were extracted by using a program, KrKwic. RESULTS: The number of studies on DNR decision has been increasing, especially since 2011. A descriptive study design (59%) was most commonly used in the research. In relation to factors affecting DNR decision, 97% of the studies stated patient factors and 66% stated family factors. 'Patient', 'DNR', 'decision', 'treatment', 'life', 'family' were the major keywords, and 'patient' and 'care' were dominant keywords that ranked high in coappearance frequency. CONCLUSION: Studies related to DNR decision have been increasing, and themes of the studies have also been broader. Further research is required to investigate factors affecting DNR decision in specific populations such as cancer patients, the elderly, patients with end-stage of chronic diseases etc. Moreover, a comparative study is necessary to define differences of research trends related to DNR decision making process between Korea and other countries.