A systematic literature review of drones in emergency medicine: practical applications, legal challenges, and future directions

This systematic analysis seeks to assess drones’ practical uses, legal issues, benefits, and limitations in emergency medical services, thereby contributing to a better understanding of their future potential. Data from peer-reviewed articles about drone deployment in medical situations were gathered by thoroughly searching electronic databases and pertinent literature. The studies were evaluated based on their methodology, context-specific issues, and findings on drone operating efficacy. The review highlighted various benefits of drone use, including notably shorter reaction times and increased access to remote or difficult-to-reach locations. However, obstacles such as legal restrictions, limited payload capabilities, and technical constraints in harsh weather conditions were significant. Use of drones to quickly transport Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in urban and rural settings, which can double the chance of surviving if done during the time of first intervention. Drones have the potential to be a strong asset to emergency medical services, improving patient care and response times in crucial but regular situations. Technical, legislative, and logistic barriers still need to be overcome to envisage its future use. Additional research is necessary to enhance the functionality of drones and the standardization of their integration alongside public health emergency response planning to balance innovation with safety and to realize maximal benefit with adherence to regulatory provisions.