Global Implications of COVID-19 on Education and Research in Healthcare and STEM: Analysis of Case Studies

The zoonotic novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 posed major threats to the world’s economy, social development, and public health. Education and research in STEM and healthcare were no exceptions to the global implications of the Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Social distancing guidelines were initially recommended to refrain from in-person operations for preventing the transmission of the virus. As academic organizations implemented multifarious methods to effectively transition to remote/online or hybrid educational formats, COVID-19 necessitated designing, adopting, as well as evaluating the efficacy of new instructional approaches, especially for disciplines that require active, experiential learning such as healthcare and STEM. These effects were accentuated in less developed/developing nations or underprivileged communities where access to technology and reliable internet connection can be a challenge, making it difficult to attain education virtually. Nevertheless, the pandemic propelled remarkable innovations in the education sector centering around these subjects. Additionally, COVID-19 disrupted research and training in STEM and healthcare. Continuing both laboratory and clinical research became onerous, with a decrease in the supply of resources and laboratory staff members. This comprehensive literature review encapsulates notable case studies highlighting the impacts of COVID-19 on education and research in healthcare and STEM on a global scale. It also showcases evidence-based strategies implemented to mitigate the adverse consequences of the pandemic in these critical fields within underdeveloped as well as developed countries. Furthermore, the analysis would help us prepare for future pandemics and improve distance learning and research in STEM and healthcare by identifying and bridging COVID-19-based gaps among the key stakeholders – students, scholars, faculty, and institutional administrators.