The use of drones in emergency medicine

Abstract

In the 21st century, we are experiencing the widespread use of new technologies that are designed to make work and daily life easier. The emergence of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has also opened up new opportunities for medical rescue support. This paper explores the various aspects of using medical drones to aid rescue operations. These devices can move at high speeds, traverse difficult terrain that ground vehicles cannot, and have many capabilities depending on their equipment. Currently, the use of UAVs is limited to rescue operations of an extreme nature, such as searching for missing individuals in dangerous or vast areas, or providing support during mass events.The paper describes the potential possibilities of using drones in rescue operations, such as delivering critical medicines, first aid equipment, or collecting information on hazards relevant to rescue planning. It is important to note that UAVs are still a relatively new technology that requires reliable safety systems, especially in the context of medical use. Possible threats, such as hacking attacks, collision risks in different environments, and the level of training of personnel involved in UAVs management, were also presented. Additionally, the paper addresses current legal and systemic issues in Poland and the European Union. Lastly, the results of public opinion polls on confi¬dentiality and consent to the use of medical drones were mentioned.