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

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.