Scientific production on the elderly person undergoing palliative care: bibliometric study

Objective: To characterize the scientific production disseminated in online journals on the elderly person undergoing palliative care. Method: This is a bibliometric study composed of 46 papers published in the databases LILACS, MEDLINE and IBECS, and in the digital libraries SciELO and COCHRANE, in the period from 2004 to 2014. Results: A concentration of titles in specialized journals in palliative care has been identified, with origin of Brazil, United States and United Kingdom, in Qualis A1, A2 and B1. The areas of Nursing and Medicine have obtained a greater amount of publications. There was a predominance of authors with the titration of PhD. As for the focus of the disease, 90% of the studies were related to cancer. Conclusion: The publications about the investigated issue have shown a little expressive amount, taking into account the surveyed period. It is suggested to perform new studies using bibliometric research as investigation method, so that other indicators can emerge and stimulate the expansion of knowledge about the theme.