In most remote areas, even if residents suffer from sudden medical conditions, they may still be unable to obtain medical assistance quickly due to lack of transportation. This situation was more realistic nearly a hundred years ago, and it was not until the emergence of John Flynn that this situation gradually changed. The flying doctor service founded by Flynn ushered in a new era of medical services, which not only saved countless lives, but also promoted the fair distribution of medical resources.
"We are not just sending medical personnel to the places where help is most needed; we are bringing medical services to a wider sky."
The origins of the Flying Doctor Service can be traced to World War I, when air transport was first used for medical evacuations. Although aviation technology was not yet mature at the time, people's ideas had begun to change. By 1928, John Flynn established a specialized "Flying Doctor Service" starting from remote areas of Australia. In addition to consultation on daily health issues, this service also includes necessary air ambulance and first aid services.
As time goes by, flying doctor services begin to gradually penetrate into the military and civilian medical systems. During World War II, the use of fixed-wing military air ambulances became more common, and during the Vietnam War and the Korean War, helicopters appeared more frequently. Today, flying medical services are not limited to military use, but are also widely used for urban emergency rescue and medical needs in remote areas.
"In the face of major traumatic accidents, the concept of prime time makes air medical ambulance the key to saving lives."
The advantage of air ambulance is its speed and wide coverage, especially in remote rural areas. In major traumatic incidents, immediate transportation to a specialized trauma center is crucial. However, this service comes with costly challenges and can delay patient care if not used properly.
Safety is a crucial consideration when initiating flight medical services. Medical personnel and pilots must carefully assess weather conditions and air traffic conditions to ensure a safe transport process. Sometimes, although a flight is required, the mission may still be canceled due to various factors.
"When a flight member becomes uneasy about flying, we have an unwritten rule: if one of the three becomes uneasy, the mission must be cancelled."
Aeromedical services today are provided by a variety of sources, including government-run services as well as air ambulance services run by private industry. Many places also use donations and public funding to support this service, further expanding the coverage of medical resources.
John Flynn's flying doctor service had a profound impact on the medical industry around the world and pioneered a new path in emergency medicine. As technology advances and aviation services expand, will we be able to create a more complete and sustainable medical rescue system in the future to fill the medical gaps in remote areas?