Abstract

The use of Mind Maps to prepare students for OSCE assessment

Author(s): Maria Noonan

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations are recognised as an effective assessment for motivating students to learn skills necessary for clinical practice. However it is recognised that OSCE assessments are perceived as stressful by students. One means of reducing stress is to prepare students for the examination. The use of mind maps is an innovative way of facilitating students to understand key information essential for an OSCE assessment. Mind maps have the potential to provide students with a strategy for retaining information, integrating critical thinking and problem solving skills. This article reviews the current discussion on mind maps and discusses the integration of mind maps into a preparation strategy for OSCE assessment.