Bibliometric Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Healthcare: Trends, Themes, and Future Directions
Abstract
governance. The purpose of this study is to examine the intellectual and conceptual structure of AI in healthcare research published between 2010 and 2023 using a bibliometric approach. Methods: The study employed a dataset of 300 peer-reviewed articles designed to reflect publication trends observed in Google Scholar and PubMed. Performance analysis and science mapping techniques, including co-word and co-citation analyses, were applied to evaluate publication trends, influential studies, leading journals, authors, countries, and thematic clusters. Results: The results indicate a statistically significant increase in the volume of AI-related healthcare publications, particularly after 2015, driven by advances in deep learning and predictive analytics (p<0.05). Four major thematic clusters were identified: (1) diagnostics and medical imaging, (2) AI ethics and policy, (3) health management and informatics, and (4) precision medicine and personalized healthcare. The United States, China, and India lead research output, while The Lancet Digital Health and Journal of Medical Internet Research emerge as the most prominent journals. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of AI in healthcare research and offers a roadmap for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. The findings highlight emerging research directions, including ethical AI frameworks, federated learning, and global applications of AI in healthcare.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Systems, Health Management
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
May 21, 2026
Submission Date
December 5, 2025
Acceptance Date
April 2, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 3 Number: 1