Research in Anatomy and Physiology During COVID-19: Global Lessons Learnt and Future Recommendations

The persistent Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused significant disruptions of research studies within the fields of Anatomy and Physiology. As the pandemic resulted in many governmental and institutional restrictions, it became increasingly challenging to pursue research in general. Disciplines like Anatomy and Physiology that require kinesthetic/tactile application of concepts or testing hypotheses through hands-on active engagement were either halted or slowed down, as the new social guidelines and risks to certain groups of people hindered up-to-date research-data collection. This called for the design and adoption of innovative scientific and technological research tools and protocols. An effort to help students, scholars, and scientists perform research better remotely has integrated alternative strategies that may not effectively replace but complement or supplement physical means of experimentation; for instance, anatomical and physiological investigations on cadavers or volunteer subjects, development of vaccines, etc. Our study presents a systematic analysis of reports published globally from last three years on the key lessons learnt about navigating Anatomy and Physiology research amidst COVID-19, along with pertinent recommendations reported to potentially aid in preparing these scholarly areas for future pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionized the ways of developing and conducting research worldwide in Anatomy and Physiology. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of such interventions around the world would foster these critical research disciplines in healthcare and STEM.