To Obtain Informed Consent or Not to Obtain Informed Consent? Drones for Health Programs in the Grey Zone between Research and Public Health

Abstract

Drones are increasingly being introduced to support healthcare delivery around the world. Most Drones for Health projects are currently in the pilot phase, where frontline staff are testing the feasibility of implementing drones into their healthcare system. Many of these projects are happening in remote localities where populations have been historically under-served within national healthcare systems. Currently, there exists limited drone-specific guidance on best practices for engaging individuals in decision-making about drone use in their communities. Towards supporting the development of such guidance, this paper focuses on the issue of obtaining community and individual consent for implementing Drones for Health projects. This paper is based on original qualitative research involving semi-structured interviews (N = 16) with program managers and implementation staff hired to work on health-related projects using drone technologies. In this paper, we introduce a scenario described by one participant to highlight the ethical and practical challenges associated with the implementation and use of drones for health-related purposes. We explore the ethical and practical complexities of obtaining informed consent from individuals who reside in communities where Drones for Health projects are implemented.

Emerging Research Topics in Drone Healthcare Delivery

“…This research highlighted the ethical dilemmas and social challenges of deploying UAVs in healthcare, such as privacy, informed consent, and the distribution of medical supplies [75][76][77]. This body of work also considered how societal factors like gender, age, and cultural norms influence the perception and acceptance of UAV technology in healthcare settings [78]. By investigating these anthropogenic aspects, the studies aimed to provide insights into the factors driving or hindering the adoption of UAVs in healthcare, emphasising the need for policy frameworks and practices that align with ethical standards and social expectations [79].…”