Healthcare professionals' readiness and perceived barriers to drone-assisted emergency healthcare in Palestine.

INTRODUCTION: Drone technology has emerged as a promising tool for improving emergency medical response systems, particularly in regions experiencing logistical and political constraints, such as Palestine. This study aimed to assess healthcare professionals' readiness for and perceived barriers to drone-assisted emergency healthcare in Palestine and to identify key barriers to the integration of drone-assisted healthcare services. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between February 1 and April 30, 2025, using an online questionnaire. A total of 409 healthcare professionals, including nurses, physicians, paramedics, and anesthesia technicians, participated in the study. Readiness was assessed using mean scores, with readiness levels classified using an equal-width interval method as low (1.00-2.33), moderate (2.34-3.67), or high (3.68-5.00). Perceived structural and implementation barriers were also evaluated. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 27, with descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The overall mean readiness score was 3.53 ± 0.69, indicating a moderate level of readiness for drone-assisted emergency healthcare. At the individual level, 48.4% of participants were classified as having high readiness and 44.8% as having moderate readiness. Significant differences in readiness were observed according to marital status (p = .036), educational level (p = .014), and work setting (p = .001), with higher readiness observed among participants working in non-governmental institutions. The most frequently reported barriers were logistical and environmental challenges (95.7%), human resource and training gaps (95.2%), and the absence of clear national drone policies (81.0%). CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals in Palestine demonstrated an overall moderate level of readiness toward drone-assisted emergency healthcare; however, substantial structural, workforce, and regulatory barriers remain. Addressing these challenges through policy development, targeted training, and infrastructure enhancement is essential to facilitate effective implementation.