Background:Drones have the ability to gather real time data cost effectively, to deliver payloads and have initiated the rapid evolution of many industrial, commercial, and recreational applications. Unfortunately, there has been a slower expansion in the field of medicine. This article provides a comprehensive review of current and future drone applications in medicine, in hopes of empowering and inspiring more aggressive investigation.Database:A literature search was performed by EBSCO (Elton B. Stephens Company) Discovery Service, searching the phrases “drones,” “UAV,” “unmanned aerial vehicles,” “UAS,” and “unmanned aerial systems.” A second search was used to identify sources that contained “drone” in the subject or title and “medicine” in any of the text, yielding 60,260 results. After screening for irrelevant material, 1296 sources remained applicable. Major themes and number of sources were as follows: 116 public health and medical surveillance, 8 telemedicine, and 78 medical transport systems.Conclusion:Drones are used for surveillance of disaster sites and areas with biological hazards, as well as in epidemiology for research and tracking disease spread. Telecommunication drones are being used for diagnosis and treatment, perioperative evaluation, and telementoring in remote areas. Drones have the potential to be reliable medical delivery platforms for microbiological and laboratory samples, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, emergency medical equipment, and patient transport. Government agencies have placed drone use on the national agenda. The next steps include aggressive research initiatives in the areas of safety, industry expansion, increased public awareness, and participation.

The utility and function of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have continued to evolve in recent years, stimulated by conception of commercial (i.e., civil) opportunities. The onset of large-scale disaster events (e.g., wild fires, accidents, weather events, and nuclear, biological, chemical) contamination), can result in significant loss of life, damage to property and critical infrastructure, and disruption of service. The increasing effectiveness of UAS establishes a compelling case for providing expedited, economical, and flexible response to gain improved awareness of an emergency event and its effects. To reach the full potential of this technology, stakeholders from across the industry will need to make a concerted effort to collaboratively address potential concerns and issues.

examine the influencing factors associated with the use of unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology to support aviation accident and emergency response. The ability of first responders to react to an emergency is dependent on the quality, accuracy, timeliness, and usability of information. With aviation accidents such as the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash at San Francisco International Airport, the ability to sense and communicate the location of victims may reduce the potential for accidental passenger death. Furthermore, the ability to obtain information enroute to an accident may also to assist to reduce overall response and coordination time of first responders (e.g., Aviation Rescue and Firefighting [ARFF]). By identifying and examining current and potential practices, capabilities, and technology (e.g., human-machine-interface [HMI], human factors, tools, and capability modifiers) a more comprehensive model of the influencing factors is established to further support the growing body of knowledge (i.e., safety, human computer interaction, human-robot systems, socio-economical systems, service and public sector systems, and technological forecasting). A series of recommendations regarding the technology and application are provided to support future development or adaptation of regulations, policies, or future research.