Page 93 - JSOM Winter 2019

The Good, the Bad, and the Future of Drones
in Tactical/Operational Medicine

Keegan D. Bradley, MD

ABSTRACT
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have seen expansion with Possible Applications
their applications in many fields, including the opportunity
these tools offer to improve medical care. Drones have sig- Drones have significant potential in the tactical setting and are
nificant potential for use in the tactical setting. New, unique already seeing action with both military and law enforcement.
possibilities for these drones are emerging constantly, but there New unique applications for these drones are emerging con-
is no standardized inclusion specifically with tactical medicine stantly; however, there is not yet a standardized application
operations. This article is a review of the future possibilities and acceptance of their use specifically with tactical medicine
of drones, the associated risks that drones present, and the operations. The following are some possible uses of drones in
current application of drone technology in the field of civilian tactical medicine that have roots in other fields and industries.
operational/tactical medicine.
1. Telemedicine has become a new, unique field that allows
medical specialists to remotely evaluate and treat patients
Keywords: drone(s); medical; medicine; tactical; operational; without physically being in front of them. Not all patients
UAV; unmanned aerial vehicle
are immediately accessible to Operators, but this does not
limit the degree to which they can be injured or their ability
to possibly be stabilized. Many fields of medicine have em-
Introduction braced this new technology, including psychiatry, neurol-
ogy, surgery, and others. Disaster medicine specialists have
UAVs have seen expansion in many fields and industries. The
field of medicine has slowly come to appreciate the opportu- started to experiment with using drones equipped with the
nity these tools offer to improve medical care. The inclusion ability to communicate, by either video or radio, with vic-
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of drones in some fields of medicine, including tactical and tims who are unreachable for rescuers. A study by Harnett
disaster medicine, has been slower, with little use of drones et al done to investigate the effectiveness of telementoring
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outside of few specialized situations/experiments. The term for remote treatment and procedural care showed prom-
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“drone” (as the public refers to UAVs) stems from the loud ise when applied in disaster settings. Telemedicine allow-
and familiar sound of old military target aircraft that was sim- ing for remote diagnosis and treatment is one of the most
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ilar to that of a bee. The first attempt at drones began when prominent emerging capabilities of drones. Applications
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the US Navy, along with British researchers at the Ordnance by tactical medical Operators have many similar possibili-
College of Woolwich, began to experiment with aerial torpe- ties. The use of drones to enter a house or compound that
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does to combat German U-boats during World War I. Most is still not secure would allow Operators to evaluate and
modern UAVs today typically consist of some form of an air potentially treat individuals without exposing them to un-
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frame, propulsion system, and navigation system. They can known threats. The ability to communicate or demonstrate
also be adapted to carry unique payloads including sensory to a victim how to treat themselves via telecommunication
equipment, optics, communications equipment, radar, and drones is a lifesaving capability that drones offer the tacti-
other cargo. With more civilians embracing this new technol- cal medical team.
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ogy, there have been steps taken for formal regulation by the 2. Drones have the ability to significantly enhance search-and-
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Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation rescue efforts. They give unique views to the zone of oper-
Administration (FAA) known as the Small UAS rule, which ation and expand the area that a medical Operator is able
provides national guidelines for operation of non- recreational to assess and manage. This is enhanced by drones’ ability
unmanned aircraft. This article is a review of the future possi- to take off and land almost anywhere and can navigate oth-
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bilities of drones, the associated risks that drones present, and erwise impassable terrain. They can enter buildings that
current application of drone technology in the field of civilian Operators cannot and bypass rough and impassable ob-
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operational/tactical medicine. The examples presented in this structions to access very isolated environments.
article are by no means all-encompassing but address the most 3. Drones offer a useful ability to transport a wide range of
common researched/published applications of drones in med- equipment and even personnel. Private and government
icine today. programs have developed drones that can carry a significant
Correspondence to KBradleyatm@gmail.com
Dr Bradley is a resident physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, John Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth, TX. He also is 2019-2020 Di-
saster and Operational Medicine Fellow Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center.
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