Foundations to frontiers: Charting the evolution of healthcare operations management and the patient journey

PurposeThis study provides a systematic analysis of key literature in healthcare Operations Management (OM), examining its evolution from manufacturing-based approaches to modern healthcare applications. It addresses two main questions: the insights gained from a bibliometric review, such as publication trends, influential authors and institutions, and emerging themes; and how OM has developed over time within healthcare, identifying key thematic shifts.MethodUsing a hybrid method that combines bibliometric and content analysis, the authors examined 604 English-language research papers from the Web of Science Core Collection™, focusing on healthcare and operations research journals. The analysis followed three steps: (1) using the histograph method to trace citation patterns and identify influential publications; (2) applying thematic evolution mapping to explore how research themes have developed across time; and (3) conducting content analysis to understand thematic clusters more deeply.ResultsResults show that early OM research emphasized strategic decision-making and efficiency in clinical areas like operating rooms and emergency departments. Over time, the field incorporated practical tools such as Lean, Six Sigma, and simulation models. More recently, the focus has shifted toward patient-centered care, with growing use of big data and artificial intelligence. These findings contribute to a theoretical framework and offer guidance for future research, healthcare managers, and policymakers.