World-wide collaboration among medical specialties in smoking research: production, collaboration, visibility and influence

The aim of this study was to analyse the network of scientific collaboration generated by the co-authorship of articles on smoking among different specialties on a world-wide level through the Science Citation Index (SCI) in the period 1999-2003. Material and methods: We selected collaboration articles on smoking research among different specialties listed in the SCI (1999-2003). The underlying network of collaboration among specialties was analysed, comparing production, visibility and centrality. Results: Forty-nine different specialties were identified, of which 47 (96`%) had produced articles in collaboration (461 articles). The most productive specialty was Psychiatry-Psychology. The specialties that produced more studies in collaboration with others were Respiratory Medicine and Internal Medicine. Respiratory Medicine, however, was the specialty that received the greatest number of citations. Conclusions: Psychiatry-Psychology was the most productive specialty, while Internal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine produced more articles in collaboration. Respiratory Medicine was the specialty that received the greatest number of citations.