title: Benefits of testable concept maps for learning about pathogenesis of disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Concept maps can assist learning by integrating new information with existing cognitive structure to facilitate meaningful understanding. The benefits of testable concept maps to illustrate cause-and-effect sequences in the pathogenesis of disease have not yet been determined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A controlled trial was employed to evaluate the learning benefits of testable pathogenesis maps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive cohorts of junior medical students allocated to control and study groups participated in case-based pathology practical classes. Online testable pathogenesis maps were integrated into classes for the study group. An online quiz and questionnaire were used to evaluate outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study group scored significantly higher on the quiz (p= .014), including significantly better performance in topics covered by pathogenesis maps (p= .049). The study group's questionnaire responses regarding pathogenesis maps were overwhelmingly positive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Testable pathogenesis maps significantly improved medical students' understanding of the pathogenesis of disease. Wider use of such maps should be explored.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Shweta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dee
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Velan
mesh_terms: D015984:Causality; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003210:Concept Formation; D004501:Education, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D010336:Pathology / Q000193:education*; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014774:Virulence; D055815:Young Adult