A scoping review examining funding trends in health care professions education research from Taiwan (2006–2017)

Abstract Background Traditionally health care professions education research (HCPER) is poorly funded, despite it being key to success. Purpose This unique study maps HCPER evolution within a single country during a period when significant national governmental HCPER funding is introduced. Methods A scoping review method examined Taiwan's HCPER landscape across 12-years. Literature searches across four databases (OVID Medline; Scopus; Web of Science; the Airiti Library), a manual scan of HCPE journals and hand searches. Endnote and ATLAS.ti managed the data. Demographic and content codes were developed. PRISMA guidelines are used. Discussion One thousand four hundred and ten articles across 310 journals, with a steady rise in funded studies. Science/Social Science Citation Index and English language publications increased. Nursing Students/Nurses and Medical Students/Physicians are the most common populations. Significant associations with funding was found for indexed and English language publications. National funding influenced quality and local funding positively. Conclusion Caution around local vs. global needs is highlighted and national funding policies for HCPER are advocated.