AIM  To explore the application and teaching effect of mind mapping in electrocardiographic teaching mode for medical students.

  METHODS  We selected 24 clinical medical postgraduates of 2016 and 2017 from Capital Medical University and randomly divided them into two groups: improvement group and control group, 12 in each group, to carry out clinical teaching activities of electrocardiogram (ECG) for 32 class hours. The improvement group took mind mapping as the core of teaching activities, the control group according to the previous routine clinical teaching methods of ECG. Before and after the ECG teaching, the two groups of medical students were tested and scored on the basic theory, operation and interpretation of ECG.

  RESULTS  The scores of ECG basic theory, basic operation and ECG interpretation of medical students in the improved group were higher than those in the control group (P< 0.05).

  CONCLUSION  Mind mapping improves the teaching quality and effect of ECG clinical teaching.