Evolution of Global Anatomy Research through COVID-19: A Post-Pandemic Evaluation

The Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) struck the world with a deep impact on many countries' healthcare systems. More specifically, anatomical research experienced a drastic setback due to the limitations and restrictions placed upon them by the medical community. This study aims to review how COVID-19 guidelines presented conflict regarding the retrieval and use of cadavers, as well as how anatomy research was modified on a global scale owing to the pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak called for several changes upon each significant anatomical research technique, ranging from cadaver dissection to diagnostic imaging. Given the remarkable shift in medical research guidelines and settings across many countries, the impact of COVID-19 was further analyzed across global healthcare systems. Several countries within the global North and global South regions demonstrated unique changes and restrictions imposed on anatomy research that continued to evolve with the pandemic. A notable outcome following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was the push for modernization and novel strategies of conducting research in anatomy. Several factors including recent technological developments, such as Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence (AI), were integrated into anatomy research. The widespread impact of COVID-19 decreased anatomical research at first, but upon adaptation to new conditions, the field of anatomy has strived to be one of innovation. Our analysis would help us prepare for future pandemics and improve research and learning among anatomical health science stakeholders, viz., students, scholars, faculty, and institutional administrators.