Global research trends on case managers in chronic disease management: A bibliometric analysis (2005–2025)

Chronic diseases are the leading global cause of mortality, and fragmented care can worsen outcomes, especially in health systems with workforce and coordination constraints. Case management-related roles (case managers, care coordinators, patient navigators) are increasingly used to support continuous, integrated, people-centered care. However, prior reviews mainly assess effectiveness in specific diseases or settings and rarely map global publication trends, geographic disparities, collaboration patterns, or thematic evolution. To map the global research landscape on case management-related roles in chronic disease management (2005–2025), including publication trends, geographic contributions, influential documents, and thematic structures. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using Scopus and PubMed. English-language articles, reviews, and conference papers (2005–2025) were included. Records were deduplicated and analyzed in VOSviewer using keyword and title/abstract term co-occurrence mapping; screening followed PRISMA 2020. After screening, 574 publications were included. Output increased markedly after the mid-2010 s and was concentrated in high-income countries, with limited representation from low- and middle-income countries. Co-occurrence mapping showed interconnected themes spanning integrated care models, community/navigation approaches, role development, and evaluation/implementation, with recent emphasis on multimorbidity, self-management, and technology-enabled coordination. Research on case management-related roles in chronic disease care has expanded and diversified toward integrated, people-centered, longitudinal care. Future work should strengthen implementation-focused evidence (including outcomes and costs), reduce geographic inequities, and clarify how digital tools are embedded within redesigned care pathways to support scalable and equitable chronic care.