University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository
Specialty
Emergency Medicine
Advisor
Dr. Colletti
Abstract
Expeditious response to victims of natural or man-made disasters by humanitarian workers armed with sufficient medical equipment and therapeutic options reduces mortality in the field and improves victim survival. Deployment of emergency response personnel and medical supply delivery in the wake of large-scale disasters is often faced with time-related and logistical challenges and the potential for human harm. Time lags exist between the onset of disaster, identifying the healthcare needs of the affected population, and preparing as well as delivering necessary medical teams, equipment, and supplies. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, may be used to solve these dilemmas by defining the boundaries of the impacted area, improving the mechanisms for understanding the medical needs of the situation, and assessing safety overall. They can also curtail transportation obstacles caused by infrastructure damage, and reduce the time needed to route provisions to the disaster site while removing the risk of personal harm to medical supply transporters. Integrating drone technology into humanitarian aid activities presents several opportunities to improve medical team disaster response and improve patient outcomes in mass casualty situations.
Recommended Citation
Hughes AA. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Use in Humanitarian Activities. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2023; 5(1).
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