Table 3 Description of the articles categorized into a social media platform

1

Short Communication (Ul Bari, 2020) [33]

Pakistan

Asia & Pacific

28

Postgraduate students

WhatsApp

Students were divided into two equal groups. One group received routine physical lectures, case presentations, journal clubs, and tutorials with all PPEs and proper social distancing for two weeks. The group was self-quarantined and replaced by a second group for 2 weeks. During isolation, WhatsApp platform was used for interaction. Moreover, regular assessment was conducted in MS Word file on WhatsApp.

Feedback from the students revealed that the method was beneficial and interesting. Furthermore, 20% of the course, generally required 6 months, was learned by the students in 2 months.

The method engaged students in academics without facing any technology-related challenges. It was also proved productive and fulfilled recruitments of licensing bodies for physical training.

2

Letter to the Editor (Sud, Sharma, Budhwar, & Khanduja, 2020) [53]

India

Asia & Pacific

N/A

Undergraduate students

WhatsApp and Google form

PowerPoint presentations comprised of clinical cases with pictures were delivered. Additional reading materials and related clinical and surgical video procedures were shared on the WhatsApp group of the students. The online assessment on Google form was conducted for each session to engage the students and at last feedback from the students was recorded.

More than 90% of the students found online classes the best alternative to physical classes. The major benefit of the adopted strategy indicated by the students was the easy availability of the material from anywhere at any time.

Although Internet connectivity is a major barrier in online education, the method is appropriate to overcome the barrier on a temporary basis.