What is the role of an on-board medical professional or physician who assists crew?

• A. Take over and diagnose every passenger.
• B. Provide remote diagnosis and guidance for triage and diversion decisions.
• C. Replace the flight crew.
• D. Ignore crew input.

Answer: (B)

On-board medical professionals act as remote medical consultants to the flight crew, guiding triage and diversion decisions. They listen to the crew’s observations, gather relevant information, and connect with a physician on the ground to provide a clinical assessment and practical guidance. This helps the crew determine which passengers need attention, what first-aid steps to take, and whether it’s necessary to divert to the nearest suitable airport for urgent care. The flight crew remains responsible for aircraft safety and operation, and the medical professional does not replace the crew or take over every passenger’s care. They rely on the crew’s input and on-board observations to shape the recommendations.