Exploring the needs and uses for drones in medical emergencies in England and Scotland: a survey of emergency healthcare workers

BackgroundThe application of drones in healthcare is a new concept being introduced in various countries to fly medical supplies. Public perceptions have been investigated but the perceptions of healthcare professionals on the frontline have not been explored. This study examined the perceptions of emergency care providers in England and Scotland to determine how they believe drones could be used when providing emergency care. MethodsFrontline healthcare professionals were surveyed regarding their perceptions of drones in emergency medical scenarios. A survey with 27 questions built on SNAP 11 was published on social media for participant recruitment. ResultsThematic analysis yielded insights into what healthcare professionals believe should be flown in an emergency notably: blood, defibrillators, and medication. Drones are perceived to be beneficial for life-threatening scenarios (high-risk, time-critical, trauma, search, and rescue applications) and routine medical care such as delivery of medical supplies and minor interventions. 100% of participants believed that providing medical care could benefit from a drone flying to a remote area or directly to a patient. 76% believed that having a drone fly key medical equipment faster could change the outcome of a patient. Scepticism regarding regulations and logistics involved, as well as concern for drone-based medical care, were identified by participants. ConclusionDrone use in healthcare remains an immature field and this study confirms that this domain warrants further research. It is key to remember that the perspectives of those impacted by the integration of drones will have to be explored to guide the application.