Mapeamento do panorama de pesquisa dos serviços médicos de emergência habilitados para VANT e eVTOL: análise bibliométrica, revisão de escopo e avaliação de ferramentas políticas

Resumo original em inglês

O que aconteceu

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly recognized as transformative technologies for emergency medical services (EMS). Despite a growing body of evidence on drone-delivered automated external defibrillators (AEDs), blood product logistics, and eVTOL air ambulance simulations, no study has comprehensively mapped this interdisciplinary research landscape while simultaneously analyzing the policy frameworks that govern its implementation.

We conducted a triple-method study integrating bibliometric analysis, a scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, and quantitative policy text analysis. Bibliometric mapping covered 2015 to 2026. The scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology with the PAGER (Patterns, Advances, Gaps, Evidence, Recommendations) synthesis framework, including 168 studies. Policy analysis applied the Rothwell and Zegveld policy tool classification and the Policy Modeling Consistency (PMC) Index to 62 Chinese policy documents related to low-altitude economy and emergency medical rescue (2020-2025), yielding 526 codable policy provisions.

O que encontraram

The bibliometric analysis identified 683 publications across five thematic clusters, with exponential growth from 2022 onward. The scoping review of 168 studies synthesized evidence showing drone-delivered AEDs arrived before ambulances in 67% of cases (median lead time 3 min 14 s), blood product drone delivery reduced transport time by 61%, and eVTOL air ambulance simulations halved advanced life support response times. All 964 modeled drone networks were cost-effective under model assumptions, improving OHCA survival by 21%-46%. Policy analysis of 62 Chinese documents revealed structural imbalance: supply-side and environmental tools constituted 75.3% of provisions while demand-side tools accounted for only 24.7%. The mean PMC Index was 7.46 (SD = 0.89), with timeliness (0.73) and policy measures (0.72) as the weakest dimensions.

Por que isso importa

The evidence base for UAV/eVTOL-enabled emergency medical services is approaching the consistency needed to inform health systems planning, although no formal risk-of-bias appraisal was undertaken, and a critical disconnect persists between technological readiness and policy infrastructure. We propose a "dual-wheel drive, four-chain integration" framework encompassing scenario implementation and ecosystem cultivation across infrastructure, industrial innovation, institutional policy, and human capital dimensions. This framework offers a roadmap for translating fragmented pilot programs into sustainable, equity-enhancing emergency medical service systems.

Resumo publicado sob licença CC BY. A tradução para o português ainda não chegou a este estudo.