A Narrative Review of Literature; Are Mind and Concept Maps Effective Methods to Teach Nursing Students?

Abstract

Introduction: Both mind maps and concept maps serve as a comprehensive key to open the
potentials of one’s brain and stimulate critical thinking. Nurse educators struggle a lot to
teach complex issues in nursing education. Mind maps and concept mapsare innovative
methods which can stimulate critical thinking, help understanding complex issues andmake
appropriate decisions related to patient care.
Objective: This review paper examined the use of mind maps and concept maps in nursing
education.
Methods: A substantial literature review was done to obtain evidence regarding studies done
on benefits on use of mind maps and concept mapsto teach nursing students. A varied search
of databases including Google scholar, PUBMED, CINAHL, science direct and SCOPUS
were carried out using MESH terms mind maps/ concept maps in nursing education,
innovative teaching learning methods in nursing education, mind mapping and critical
thinking. A total of 15 articles which met the selection criteria were included in the review.
The data collected were reviewed by two researchers based on extraction table.
Results: The review showed that concept maps as innovative method and was used more
frequently than mind maps to teach nursing students. Its efficacy was proved to be significant
from the studies reviewed.
Conclusion: Both Mind and concept maps helped in developing critical thinking among the
nursing students when used in different occasions. The review reveals use of mind mapsand
concept mapsin nursing education favored in developing a synergetic effect in the brain and
enhanced memory recall and positive student satisfaction. The authors recommend further
research to create new evidences for the new generation of nurses.