Telemedicine System Applicability Using Drones in Pandemic Emergency Medical Situations

Abstract

Drones have evolved significantly in recent years, acquiring greater autonomy and carrier capacity. Therefore, drones can play a substantial role in civil medicine, especially in emergency situations or for the detection and monitoring of disease spread, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this paper is to present the real possibilities of using drones in field rescue operations, as well as in nonsegregated airspace, in order to obtain solutions for monitoring activities and aerial work in support of the public health system in crisis situations. The particularity of our conceptual system is the use of a “swarm” of fast drones for aerial reconnaissance that operate in conjunction, thus optimizing both the search and identification time while also increasing the information area and the operability of the system. We also included a drone with an RF relay, which was connected to a hub drone. If needed, a carrier drone with medical supplies or portable devices can be integrated, which can also offer two-way audio and video communication capabilities. All of these are controlled from a mobile command center, in real time, connected also to the national dispatch center to shorten the travel time to the patient, provide support with basic but life-saving equipment, and offer the opportunity to access remote or difficult-to-reach places. In conclusion, the use of drones for medical purposes brings many advantages, such as quick help, shortened travel time to the patient, support with basic but life-saving equipment, and the opportunity to access remote or difficult-to-reach places.

Autonomous Vehicles for Healthcare Applications: A Review on Mobile Robotic Systems and Drones in Hospital and Clinical Environments

“…The use of drones to transport medical supplies, such as medications, medical devices, and biological materials, has received a lot of attention in the literature when it comes to autonomous vehicles in healthcare [42].…”

“…In times of epidemics or pandemics, the role of camera-equipped drones in delivering medicines becomes even more important. These unmanned aerial vehicles can quickly transport critical medical supplies, including vaccines and medicines, to quarantine zones or isolated communities without exposing human couriers to the risk of infection [35,42]. Cameras are also used as image processing systems for streaming images to AGVs or for label detection and identification [5].…”

Rider Optimization With Deep Learning Based Image Encryption for Secure Drone Communication

“…Nedelea et al [16] examine the real possibility of utilizing drones in rescue operations, along with in non-segregated airspace, to attain solutions to monitor aerial work and activities supporting the public health system in an emergency. The particularity of the concept system was the usage of the "swarm" of fast drones for an aerial investigation that operates together, thereby enhancing the identification and search time while rising the operability of the system and the information area.…”

Measuring the Impact of Virtual Communities on the Intention to Use Telemedicine Services

“…According to this view, new technologies must neither aggravate socioeconomic inequities nor impair public health objectives while maintaining and respecting essential values [ 11 ]. Utilizing digital services will be necessary in order to accomplish this objective; these include portable devices, mobile health applications, and mobile communication devices for health, welfare, and informational purposes [ 12 ].…”

“…Moreover, digital marketing is under constant pressure to contribute as much as possible to business success [ 11 ]. Telemedicine patients in virtual communities can be processed through self-learning systems, which are autonomous and decisive [ 12 ]. Thus, digital media is expanding the existing contact points and giving companies that offer this type of service better access to patients through telemedicine [ 18 ].…”