Use of information technologies to improve the quality of care in municipalities: A bibliometric study

Abstract

The use of information technologies has gained relevance in improving the quality of care in municipalities by optimizing administrative processes and enhancing transparency and citizen satisfaction. This study aimed to analyze, through a bibliometric approach, the evolution, trends, and patterns in the scientific literature on the use of IT to improve the quality of care in municipal management. The Scopus database was used to analyze 102 articles published between 2002 and 2023, employing a specific search string. The evaluated indicators included annual scientific production, the most productive publication sources, the main institutional affiliations, the most frequent keywords, and the international collaboration network. The results show a growing interest in the use of IT in municipalities, with a peak in academic production in 2021-2022 and a wide diversity of sources and actors involved. Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Spain stand out as leading countries in the research. It is concluded that the digital transformation of local public management is a relevant and expanding topic, with the potential to improve citizen care and administrative efficiency.