Challenges and opportunities of digitalization in the healthcare supply chain: A literature review

Abstract

This paper presents a literature review on the topic of digitalization in the healthcare supply chain. The healthcare industry is currently undergoing a transformation, and the supply chain is not an exception. The adoption of advanced technologies such as the blockchain is increasingly prevalent, offering improved traceability, security, trust, and privacy. However, managing the influx of new data requires highly qualified personnel. The potential benefits of digitalization are thus explored, as well as the need for collaborations to improve the present and future of the healthcare supply chain.The authors analyze the current state of digitalization in the healthcare supply chain by conducting a literature review of 81 relevant documents. The outcomes of the analyses highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with digitalization, which has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare supply chain. However, it is apparent that further studies are necessary to ensure the success of digitalization in this context.