Digital Health 5.0 Transformation for Health Access Equity in Rural Communities of Developing Countries: An Integrated Bibliometric and Systematic Review

Abstract

Healthcare access inequality in rural communities of developing countries remains a persistent challenge due to limited infrastructure, shortages of medical personnel, and inadequate supply chains. This study investigates the potential of Digital Health 5.0 as a transformative framework to bridge such disparities by emphasizing human-centered, inclusive, and adaptive healthcare solutions. The research employs an integrative approach that combines bibliometric analysis using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer with a systematic literature review (PRISMA guidelines), focusing on publications from 2019–2025 indexed in Scopus. The analysis reveals significant growth in scholarship, highlighting six major thematic clusters: maternal health literacy, telehealth adoption during COVID-19, health policy and financing frameworks, digital literacy and patient engagement, socioeconomic inclusion strategies, and emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, blockchain, and telemedicine. Results show that Digital Health 5.0 can improve diagnostic accuracy, expand service delivery, and foster patient participation, while challenges persist in digital infrastructure, gender gaps, and socio-cultural acceptance. The findings underscore that sustainable implementation requires multi-sectoral governance, financing integration into national health strategies, and culturally sensitive service design. This study provides a conceptual framework and practical recommendations for policymakers, healthcare providers, and technology developers to leverage Digital Health 5.0 for equitable, resilient, and sustainable healthcare in rural settings of developing countries.