The state of anatomical donation programs amidst the SARS‐CoV‐2 (Covid‐19) pandemic

Abstract

The inclusion of human body dissection in anatomical science curricula has been described as a critical educational experience for the mastery of anatomical structures and concepts. To ensure that body donors are ethically acquired and suitable for anatomy education, Anatomical Donation Programs (ADPs) are tasked with the responsibility of acquiring body donors for basic and clinical science curricula. Considering the personal and institutional impact of SARS‐CoV‐2, a national survey was conducted to examine the current effect of the pandemic on ADP protocols, body donation, and the sustainability of ADPs in the United States (U.S.). Eighty‐nine U.S. ADPs were identified and contacted for optional participation in a survey to assess the impact of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic on their programs. Survey data were collected and managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools. Thirty‐six ADPs (40.5% response rate) from the nine U.S. Divisions are represented in the survey results. Data were collected on ADP descriptions and demographics, SARS‐CoV‐2 impact on ADPs and protocols, and body donation and ADP sustainability. Almost all ADPs reported that the pandemic has affected their ADP operations in some way; however, the sustainability for the majority of ADPs appears likely and donor availability remains stable due to a proportional decrease in body donations and body donor requests. As the long‐term impact on ADPs has yet to be determined, the authors plan to reevaluate the lasting impact of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic on body donation, ADP sustainability, and anatomical science education throughout the year 2021.

Anatomical variations of the flexor carpi ulnaris in the fetal period

“…Due to the limited access to anatomical specimens of adults, there was a strong need to look for alternative sources of biological material (Ghosh 2017;McCumber et al 2021). Fetal collections assembled in many anatomical laboratories in the 19th and 20th centuries could be such a source (Rohan et al 2019).…”

Quantification and persistence of COVID‐19 virus in recently deceased individuals before and after embalming

“…Anatomy education has been deeply impacted by the pandemic. Most Anatomical Donation Programs worldwide faced a critical shortage of body donors, and profound changes in the traditional way of teaching (Ravi, 2020; Singal et al, 2020; Manzanares‐Céspedes et al, 2021; McCumber et al, 2021). This led to new challenges since a direct approach to “hands‐on” anatomy education has always been perceived by the community to be an indispensable component for subject mastery.…”

Pandemic Changing Attitude of Medical Students Towards Body Donation

“…We did not find in the literature publications related to the impact of the pandemic on the willingness to donate. However, McCumber et al (2021) reported 50% of reduction in donations recieved by the United States universities and only 5.6% of the donation programs participating at the survey informed an increase. Many articles were published evaluating the pandemic circumstances and consequences, however most of them were editorials or not data based ones (Bond and Franchi, 2020;Dost et al, 2020;Franchi, 2020;Murlimanju et al, 2020;Puljak et al, 2020;Singal et al, 2020;Banovac et al, 2021;Singal et al, 2021;Manzanares Cespedes et al, 2021;Suarez-Escudero et al, 2021;Gonzalez Fernandez and Salazar Sanchez, 2022).…”