Anatomy in a Post-Covid-19 World: Tracing a New Trajectory.

Area of Science:

• Anatomical education
• Digital learning in science

Background:

• The Covid-19 pandemic necessitated rapid adaptation of anatomy teaching to online delivery.
• Long-term reliance on digital platforms may diminish the humanistic aspects of anatomy education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify challenges and opportunities for anatomy education in an increasingly digital future.
• To propose strategies for the continued flourishing of anatomy as a discipline.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the impact of online teaching on anatomy education.
• Identification of roadblocks including staff workload, resource limitations, and research quality.
• Exploration of future trajectories and integration opportunities.

Main Results:

• Key challenges include preserving anatomy's ethos, staff workload (especially for female academics), resource scarcity, and research impact.
• Opportunities lie in virtual museums, broader online reach, and interdisciplinary collaboration with humanities.

Conclusions:

• Anatomy education must evolve by embracing digital advancements while retaining humanistic values.
• Integrating person-to-person and digital learning is crucial for anatomy's future success and broader scholarly contribution.