Telemedicine Adoption: Assessing The Impact Of Telehealth Technologies On Chronic Disease Management. A Bibliometric Analysis

Background: Telemedicine adoption continues to reshape chronic disease management through the use of technology to enhance patient care and health outcomes. Objective: To map the research landscape on telehealth and chronic care by conducting a bibliometric analysis of literature published between January 1 2005, and June 30, focusing on articles and reviews in English. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection. The analysis included research articles and reviews but excluded non-English-language publications. Bibliometric data were analyzed for trends, regional contributions, influential researchers, institutions, and key themes. Results: A total of 912 publications (635 research articles and 277 reviews) were assessed. Research activity increased significantly, peaking in 2023 with 134 publications. The United States led with 236 publications and 14,687 citations, followed by Europe. Asia, particularly China and South Korea, showed exponential growth in research output. Renowned researchers include Smith J (Johns Hopkins University), Lee H (Seoul National University), and Martinez C (Hospital Clinic of Barcelona). Johns Hopkins University produced the most publications, while articles from the Karolinska Institute had the highest citation frequency. Leading journals in this field included Telemedicine and e-Health, Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), and JMIR mHealth and Health. Key themes identified were remote patient monitoring, digital health tools, teleconsultations, and patient engagement. Conclusion: Telehealth plays a critical role in enhancing continuous patient care, improving compliance with at-home treatment plans, and enabling timely interventions. The analysis highlights the need for international collaboration and interdisciplinary research to advance telemedicine capabilities further and achieve better outcomes for chronic disease management.