This study examined research trends in Digital Tool Use in Clinical Skills (DTUCS) from 2020 to 2024, using publications from the Web of Science (WoS) and SCOPUS databases. It aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these trends. Bibliometric analysis methods were used to analyze various variables such as the number of publications, citations, keywords, authors, and countries.

The findings indicate that DTUCS is a rapidly developing research area significantly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The consistent increase in DTUCS publications from 2020 to 2024 suggests growing interest and research activity in this field. This growth is likely attributed to technological advancements in healthcare and the COVID-19 pandemic. The widespread use of distance education and telehealth during the pandemic may have highlighted the importance of DTUCS and stimulated research.

Journals such as BMC Medical Education, Journal of Medical Internet Research, and Nurse Education Today are among the most frequent publishers of DTUCS articles. Highly cited publications often focus on nursing informatics, virtual simulation, and technology-assisted learning. The United Kingdom, China, and the USA are the leading contributors to DTUCS research.

Frequently used keywords in DTUCS research include "education," "skills," "students," "health," "technology," and "learning." The rise in the use of "health" in 2023 suggests a growing focus on digital health applications within DTUCS research.

This analysis provides valuable insights into the development and future direction of DTUCS. The increasing number of publications highlights the growing importance of digital tools in clinical skills training. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated these developments. The prevalence of international collaboration in DTUCS research can further contribute to the advancement of the field.