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Review
. 2020 Sep;237(3):393-403.
doi: 10.1111/joa.13274. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

COVID-19 and anatomy: Stimulus and initial response

Cecilia Brassett  1 , Thomas Cosker  2 , D Ceri Davies  3 , Peter Dockery  4 , Thomas H Gillingwater  5 , T Clive Lee  6 , Stefan Milz  7 , Simon H Parson  8 , Fabio Quondamatteo  9 , Tracey Wilkinson  10
Affiliations
Review

COVID-19 and anatomy: Stimulus and initial response

Cecilia Brassett et al. J Anat. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19, resulting from widespread transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, represents one of the foremost current challenges to societies across the globe, with few areas of life remaining untouched. Here, we detail the immediate impact that COVID-19 has had on the teaching and practice of anatomy, providing specific examples of the varied responses from several UK, Irish and German universities and medical schools. Alongside significant issues for, and suspension of, body donation programmes, the widespread closure of university campuses has led to challenges in delivering anatomy education via online methods, a particular problem for a practical, experience-based subject such as anatomy. We discuss the short-term consequences of COVID-19 for body donation programmes and anatomical education, and highlight issues and challenges that will need to be addressed in the medium to long term in order to restore anatomy education and practice throughout the world.

Keywords: COVID-19; anatomy; body donation; coronavirus; education.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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