A Bibliometric Analysis of Drone Technology in Healthcare Logistics

Koh Bo Yao; Mohamad Ali Selimin

doi:10.58915/aset.v5i1.2968

Authors

Koh Bo Yao Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia & Allnex Asia GBS Sdn Bhd
Mohamad Ali Selimin Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58915/aset.v5i1.2968

Keywords:

Bibliometric analysis, Drone, Emergency medical services, Healthcare, Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

Abstract

The integration of drone technology into healthcare logistics has emerged as a strategic innovation to enhance the speed, accessibility, and resilience of medical supply chains, particularly in emergency and remote settings. Despite rapid technological progress, the intellectual structure and global research dynamics of this domain remain fragmented and insufficiently synthesized. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to map the evolution, thematic structure, and collaborative landscape of drone technology in healthcare logistics. Bibliographic data were retrieved from the Scopus database and refined through systematic screening, yielding 830 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2016 and 2025. Data cleaning was performed using OpenRefine, while performance analysis and science mapping were conducted using the Scopus analyzer and VOSviewer. The findings reveal exponential publication growth, with more than 60% of outputs produced in the most recent 4 years. The United States, India, and China lead in productivity, while emergency medical services, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Internet of Things emerge as dominant research themes. The results demonstrate a rapidly consolidating, interdisciplinary field with strong international collaboration, highlighting its expanding role in advancing resilient, intelligent healthcare logistics systems.

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