Fig. 3

The benefit of mind mapping in history taking. At the start of this module, group 1 from the normal class, and group 5 from the reformed class employed mind mapping for five themes. Group 2, 3 from the normal classes and group 4 from the reformed class were controls. Then the practice of history taking was carried out with SPs and later real patients in groups of 3–5 students. The completeness of the history taking (A) and (C) and collected accompanying symptoms (B) and (D) were recorded during interview with SPs and real patients. E The advantages of mind mapping in history are discussed and listed. * p < 0.05 compared with group 1; # p < 0.05 compared with group 4. SP: standardized patient. No. AS: number of accompanying symptoms