Aim . To map the existing research and methodologies used and identify themes of power distance in healthcare. Design . Scoping review. Methods . A systematic search for original studies was conducted on CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and ProQuest in May 2023. The review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute’s guidelines for scoping reviews. English, Finnish and Swedish studies with no time limits were included and analysed with narrative synthesis. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was used for reporting. Results . A total of 30 studies were included. All the studies were published between 2004 and 2022. Power distance as a moderator was evident in the research, influencing the relation between other variables. Three distinct themes of power distance in healthcare were identified: interpersonal, intrapersonal and cultural aspects of power distance. Conclusion . Based on current evidence, power distance is an impactful phenomenon in healthcare. Interpersonal, intrapersonal and cultural aspects of power distance illustrate its multilevel effects in healthcare organisations. Power distance has diverse direct and indirect impacts in healthcare and is a valuable framework for describing healthcare’s complex social inequalities. Power distance was directly linked with hierarchy and associated with a lack of collegiality. Implications for practice and research . Awareness and understanding of power distance are valuable for healthcare leadership and research, aiding in the comprehension of employee outcomes, expectations and subtle cultural differences, though further research on power distance in healthcare is needed.