The study of human anatomy through cadaveric dissection facing new technologies: A reflection during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Innovations in the pedagogical environment and new technologies have been put in check about the teaching of anatomy compared to cadaveric dissection (CD) facing the pandemic context. A recent review of the importance of teaching anatomy through CD and its difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic were our objectives. A comparison was made on possible alternatives to CD and its further effects on the proper formation of future professionals. This review was conducted in three databases (PubMed, SciELO and Web Science) selecting articles from 2008 to March 2021. The inclusion criteria were studies on CD, other practices with corpses, new technologies, methodologies related to teaching, educational topics in basic or applied anatomy and the Covid-19 pandemic. Studies that did not discuss dissection as a teaching methodology or articles that used dissection only as an exploratory method were excluded. 34 articles were selected. 22 recommended CD, 10 indicated the use of CD combined with other methodologies, other technologies or have an indefinite conclusion, and 2 had no positive indication. New teaching methodologies and technologies do not replace CD but collaborate for the development of a more integrated curriculum, adapted to different realities and might be good alternatives during, and after, a pandemic.