Effectiveness of Mind Mapping Technique in Information Retrieval Among Medical College Students in Puducherry-A Pilot Study.
BACKGROUND
The traditional teaching learning methods involve a one way process of transmission of knowledge leaving the students lacking behind in creative abilities. Medical schools need to change their teaching strategies to keep the interest of students and empower them for future self- learning and critical thinking.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of mind mapping technique in information retrieval among medical college students in Puducherry.


METHODS
A pilot study was conducted using experimental study design among sixth semester MBBS students (n= 64) at a medical college in Puducherry, India. One group (n= 32) followed the text reading method and another group (n= 32) followed the mind mapping technique to learn the same passage given to them. The knowledge about the topic was assessed using a pre designed questionnaire at baseline, day 0 and day 7. The knowledge gain is the primary outcome variable and is compared between two groups. The feedback regarding the teaching methods was obtained from the participants.


RESULTS
Mean knowledge score in the text group was lesser than the mind map group at baseline (2.6 Vs 3.5;p= 0.08). On Day 0, the mean score in text group was slightly lesser than the mind map group (8.7 Vs 9.0;p= 0.26). On Day 7, the mean score in mind map group is significantly more than the text group (8.9 Vs 8.5;p= 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
The mind mapping technique is an innovative and effective method in remembering things better than the routine way of reading texts.
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
Madhanraj
M
Kalyanasundaram
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
Sherin Billy
SB
Abraham
Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India.
Divija
D
Ramachandran
Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, JIPMER, Puducherry, India.
Venkatachalam
V
Jayaseelan
Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India.
Joy
J
Bazroy
Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India.
Zile
Z
Singh
Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India.
Anil Jacob
AJ
Purty
Information retrieval; medical college; mind map; puducherry; randomized controlled trial