Mind Mapping as a New Strategy to Improve Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Learning for Medical Interns

[Objective] Sudden cardiac death (SCD) caused by unexpected cardiovascular arrest remains a major public health threat globally. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a basic but critical first aid skill to rescue patients with sudden cardiac arrest. This study aimed to ascertain whether the mind mapping technique, a note-taking and graphic thinking tool, could improve the learning of CPR among medical interns. [Methods] A total of 79 medical interns rotating in the emergency department in our center were selected as research participants. They were randomly divided into the control group (n=40) and the experimental group (n=39). The control group was trained with traditional PowerPoint (PPT) slide courseware combined with practical operations, while the experimental group was trained with mind mapping technique on the basis of traditional PPT courseware combined with practical operations. The theoretical test, operational assessment, and the survey regarding the satisfaction with the training were conducted between the two groups of interns after training.[Results] Although the interns in both groups mastered the CPR technique successfully with theoretical and operational assessment scores >90 (out of 100), the experimental group performed significantly better in both theoretical tests (score: 96.13±2.47 vs 93.71±4.48, p=0.0041) and operational assessment (score: 94.82±3.22 vs 91.32±3.46, p<0.0001). Moreover, all interns (100%) in the experimental group were satisfied with the CPR training experience, while only 75% of the interns in the control group were satisfied with the training. [Conclusions] Mind maps as a supplementary teaching tool could facilitate CPR learning for medical interns and improve their learning interest.