INTRODUCTION

a concise introduction to the possible applications of mind mapping

in the field of Health Sciences?
to understand the possibilities of mind mapping automation?
more information on the scientific evidence supporting mind
mapping?
to have a clear-cut opinion about the quality of a mind mapping
article or book you are reading?
If your answer to any of the above questions is yes, then this book is
for you. It is a simple introduction to the field of mind mapping, and it
also provides an overview of advanced techniques that are just
beginning to be explored.
It does not presuppose any previous knowledge of mind mapping and
can be used by nurses, administrative and IT personnel, doctors,
researchers and administrators of hospitals and clinics. In a nutshell,
its for anyone in health-related fields.

ISBN: 978-1502580245

INTRODUCTION TO THE APPLICATIONS OF MIND MAPPING

to understand mind mapping?

In Medicine

Do you want

TO THE APPLICATIONS

OF

In Medicine

Jos M. Guerrero
Pilar Ramos
Published by:
Internet Medical Publishing
Find more titles on our site: www.imed.pub

INTRODUCTION
TO THE APPLICATIONS

OF

In Medicine

Jos M. Guerrero
Pilar Ramos

Con el Aval de Fundacin de Neurociencias

Ttulo Original de la Obra: Introduction to the Applications

of Mind Mapping in Medicine

Autores: Jos M. Guerrero

Pilar Ramos

ISBN 13: 978-1502580245

ISBN 10: 1502580241

Diseo interiores y portada: Soledad Buil
soledad.buil@yahoo.com

Versin editada por: Internet Medical Publishing
info@imed.pub
http://imed.pub/

Primera edicin 2015

Todos los Derechos reservados. Ninguna parte de esta publicacin puede ser reproducida o transmitida en ninguna forma y por ningn medio electrnico, de fotocopia,
grabacin y otros sin permiso previo por escrito de los autores y editores.

ii

Dedicated to my father Felix Guerrero.

jmg
It is indifferent to me where I am to begin, for
there shall I return again.
Parmenides of Elea

iii

AUTHORS
Jose M Guerrero
Chemical Engineer
Instituto Qumico de Sarri
Barcelona
Spain
BSc in Mathematics
The Open University
UK
CEO
Infoseg, S.A.
Spain
http://www.infoseg.com/

iv

Pilar Ramos
Graduate in Nursing
Instituto Clnico de enfermedades
digestivas y metablicas
Hospital Clnic de Barcelona
Spain

CONTENTS
Preface, ix
1. Introduction, 1
2. Definitions, 3
3. Advantages Of Mind Maps Over Linear Text And Simple
Text Outlining, 7
4. Why Does Mind Mapping Work?, 9
4.1 Some Generic Reasons [14], 9
4.2 Creativity, 10
4.3 Teaching and Learning, 10
4.4 Productivity, 12
4.5 Myths About the Brain and that Are Sometimes
Used in Relation to Mind Mapping, 13
5. Creation Of Mind Maps, 15
5.1 Manual paper and pen-based mind mapping, 16
5.2 Manual, Graphics Tablet mind mapping, 17
5.3 Manual, desktop mind mapping software, 18
5.4 Manual, web mind mapping software, 20
v

 5.5 Terminology in mind mapping software, 21

5.6 Mind mapping software automation, 23
6. Uses Of Manual (Pen & Paper Or Digital)
Mind Mapping Techniques, 24
6.1 Teaching, 24
6.2 Learning, 25
6.3 Note-taking, 26
6.4 Publishing, 27
6.5 Information Overload, 29
6.6 Analysis of Complex Information, 32
6.7 Summarization of Documents, 45
6.8 Creation of presentations, 50
6.9 Planning, 53
6.10 Creativity, 54
6.11 Brainstorming, 55
6.12 Online Collaboration, 57
7. Applications Of Mind Mapping Automation In
Medicine, 59
7.1 Personal Health Record (PHR) [42], 60
7.2 MeSH [87], 62
7.3 International Classification of Diseases, 64

vi

7.4 Management Reporting Admissions

Department, 66

 7.5 Management Reporting Outpatient Visits

Department, 69
7.6 Open Data in medicine. Clinical Trials, 72
7.7 Visualization of Social Network Information, 74
7.8 Applications of mind mapping in GIS, 75
7.9 eCTD. Regulatory Pharmaceutics, 76
7.10 From outline text to mind maps. IM-T2MM, 77
7.11 From Speech Recognition to mind maps, 78
7.12 From BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) to mind
maps, 79
7.13 Big Data visualization, 79
7.14 Pre-operative instructions, 81
7.15 Discharge instructions for patients, 81
7.16 Data base Documentation, 82
7.17 Integration of Google Search results, 84
7.18 Medicine labels as mind maps, 84
7.19 Drug interactions, 86
8. History Of Mind Mapping Techniques, 87
8.1 Porphyry of Tyre (234305 A.D.), 87
8.2 The Great Stemma (4th or 5th century, 89
8.3 Boethius (AD 520), 90
8.4 Cassiodorus. Institutiones, 91
8.5 Codex Amiatinus, 91

vii

 8.6 Beatus of Libana , 93

8.7 Ramon Llull, 96
8.8 Wheels of urine, 97
8.9 Latin manuscript, probably Heidelberg
(2nd half of 15th century), 98
8.10 Luca Pacioli [138] and Leonardo da Vinci, 98
8.11 Novak. Concept maps, 99
8.12 Simmons, Ross and Quinlan. Semantic
Networks,100
8.13 Tony Buzan, 100
8.14 Jamie Nast. Idea Mapping, 102
9. Mind Mapping Software, 103
10. Medical Mind Mapping Web Sites, 105
References, 107

viii

PREFACE
This book is an introduction to a group of techniques known as
visual mapping and its application in medicine. The best known
of these techniques is mind mapping (MM).
Mind mapping is a very old technique that has been neglected in
many professional areas. Our intention is to offer a book full of
useful information to students and professionals of medicine in
the application of mind mapping to their work, which we hope
will stimulate greater use of this technique.
We have been using mind mapping for more than twenty years
in different fields, insurance, programming, banking, medicine,
GIS, data visualization and, in general, in complex information
analysis. Medicine is an important field where more applications
are possible.
What this book is:
A scientific and historic introduction to mind mapping as
a visual tool and technique
An aid to clarify the meaning of different visual mapping
concepts
The presentation of a framework for the study of the
different types of applications of mind mapping in
medicine
A guide to finding resources in mind mapping
An introduction to mind mapping automation in the
medical realm
A peek into the future of mind mapping automation

ix

What this book is not:

A simple list of mind maps using medical information or
procedures
A detailed description of a specific mind mapping
software application
An exaltation of mind mapping
A simple How to create a mind map guide
We dont pretend to cover all the nuances of this very vast
subject. Future works will address a more in-depth analysis of
the multiple possibilities of mind mapping in the Health Sciences.
This book has a web companion site at http://www.mm-medicine.
com/. At this web site, readers will find extra resources such as
PDF versions of the full mind maps used as examples in the book,
and a page to download a trial version of the software used in
the creation of the example mind maps used. Those having the
trial version of the software will be able to download the original
mind maps in their native format.

1. Introduction
Mind mapping is a technique for visually displaying and organizing
information. Mind mapping has a scientific basis.
In the 1960s Dr. Roger Sperry [1] and his colleagues, confirmed
that the Cerebral Cortex was divided into two hemispheres, and
those hemispheres performed a range of intellectual tasks. The
tasks included: Logic, Lists, Numbers, Imagination, Talk, Gestalt.
The left and right hemispheres of the brain, they argued, are
specialized in different tasks.
The left side of the brain is responsible for the analytical and
verbal tasks. The right side is responsible for the space perception
tasks.
It is still being explored today, how some cognitive functions
tend to be dominated by one side or the other.
In 1981, Sperry received the Nobel prize for his discoveries
concerning the functional specialization of the cerebral
hemispheres.
Mind mapping is an attempt to integrate the use of both sides
of the brain. Mind mapping reinforces a synergistic collaboration
between both hemispheres; however, there is no mystique
involved. Mind mapping is just a very useful technique. Anyone
can learn the technique of mind mapping without needing to be
right-brained or even very creative.
Paivio [2] found that people prefer to use images as a mnemonic
element and that it was a highly effective strategy for boosting
recall.
Belleza [3] found that pictures and colors facilitate memory.
He also found that adults learn most effectively when they
can form a connection between newly and previously acquired
knowledge. The nature of mind mapping facilitates the formation
of connections with new information.
Day and Bellezza [4] found that the inclusion of color and
pictures facilitates the conversion of information from short to
long-term memory.

The four above mentioned works are probably the most

important scientific fundaments of modern mind mapping.

Why do we prefer visual information instead

of simple text?
Some of the reasons are [5]:
Visualization provides an ability to comprehend huge amounts
of data.
Visualization allows the perception of emergent properties
that were not anticipated.
Visualization often enables problems with the data itself to
become more immediately apparent.
Visualization facilitates understanding of both large-scale and
small-scale features of the data.
Visualization facilitates hypothesis formation.

A visual map is a graphical tool that can be used to create,

manage, and exchange information visually.
The term visual mapping is applied to many techniques. The
most known of them are mind mapping and concept mapping.
In this book, we will concentrate on mind mapping because
we can always create concept maps using mind mapping.
In general, visual mapping techniques are applied when we
want to:
1. Organize, visualize and understand complex information.
(This is especially important when complex information is
unstructured);
2. Analyze complex information in order to take decisions;
3. Exchange complex information in a meaningful way;
4. Organize, visualize and understand lots of information even if
it is not very complex (I.e. Big Data).

2. Definitions
Mind mapping is a graphical technique for visualizing
hierarchical connections between several items of information.
Each item of information is written down and then linked by lines
to the other pieces thus creating a network of relationships. They
are always organized around a single central idea.
A mind map is a diagram created by mind mapping.

Mind map example

A concept map [6] is similar to a mind map but it does not

have the limitation of a single central idea. Concept maps can
have several central ideas.

Concept map example

Comparison of mind mapping to concept

mapping [7]
Mind maps have a single main central idea or item of
information. Concept maps can have several central ideas.
However, many mind mapping software tools allow for the
use of Relationships that can be employed to simulate the
existence of more than one central idea or item of information.
Reading direction of mind maps is center-out, in the case of
concept maps it is top-down. However, many mind mapping
software tools allow for the use of several layout options like
Org-chart, Tree and Right Map that eliminate this difference.
Mind mapping uses many more graphical and pictorial
elements than concept mapping.
Concept maps are usually more precise and verifiable than
mind maps.
The formal theory behind concept maps is more important
than in the case of mind maps.
Mind maps are easier to create than concept maps.
Mind maps are more extensible than concept maps.
Mind maps are easier to memorize than concept maps.
Mind maps can be more difficult to understand by others than
concept maps.
Mind mapping encourages creativity more than concept
mapping.
Mind mapping requires less training than concept mapping.
Mind mapping is more suitable to be used as a vehicle for
information exchange.
Mind mapping is easier to use in an automated way.
Mind maps are usually less formal and structured.

Mind mapping is recommended in all cases. When strict

concept mapping is needed, it can be simulated with the addition
of Floating topics and Relationships.

How to read a mind map

This is the order in which mind maps have to be read.

1. Central Topic
2. Main Topic A
3. Subtopic A.1
4. Subtopic A.1.1

Other terms not to be confused with mind

mapping
Brain Mapping
Definition [8]: The study of the anatomy and function of the
brain and spinal cord through the use of imaging (including intraoperative, Microscopic, Endoscopic and Multi-Modality imaging),
Immunohistochemistry, Molecular & optogenetics, Stem cell and
Cellular Biology, Engineering (material, electrical and biomedical),
Neurophysiology and Nanotechnology.
Mental / Cognitive Mapping
Mental or cognitive mapping is the product of a series of
psychological processes that register, code, store, then call to mind
and decode all information on our everyday spatial environment.
In this sense, cognitive mapping is a cognitive characteristic to
be found in our minds.

The concept of the mental map has been adopted in the

disciplines of geography, history, and cultural anthropology.
However, its origin is found in cognitive psychology. The term
"cognitive map" was coined by E. C. Tolman [9].

Example of a mental map.

In geography, a mental map is a representation of the

perceptions and knowledge that a person has of a particular
area. [10]
Argument mapping is diagramming the structure of an
argument including any kind of argumentative activity such as
reasoning, inferences, debates, and cases. This technique focuses
on the logical, evidential or inferential relationships among
propositions.
An argument map is a diagram with boxes corresponding to
propositions and arrows corresponding to relationships such as
evidential support.
The purpose of argument mapping is reconstruction and
categorization of complex argumentations and controversial
debates. [11]

3. Advantages Of Mind
Maps Over Linear Text
And Simple Text Outlining
Compared to mind mapping, Linear text

Is difficult to understand and analyze.

Is difficult to memorize.
Does not provide a sense of perspective.
Does not offer a sense of structure.
D
 oes not show the relationship between parts of the text.
Is usually confined to horizontal writing.
Is difficult to modify its structure.
The process of going from knowledge to decisions is, in
general, non linear.
There is a cognitive dissonance between the linear representation
of information and the mapping of mental processes that the
brain performs when treating information [12].
Does not represent the networks and patterns of thinking
that the author of the text has been using.
Does not facilitate the work of looking for patterns of the
brain.
Cannot be remembered easily.
Does not allow us to see the whole picture.

Outlining
Outlining and mind mapping are both used to represent
tree-like data. Outlines, however, have a linear component that
suffers from the same problems as linear text.
Mind maps use more visual aids than outlines, i.e., colors,
size, fonts, images, border styles and additional lines that display

relationships. With these extra aids, mind maps make important

information to stand out clearly. In an outline, information is
processed top-to-bottom in a linear way. In an outline, there is
an implicit ordering of the items of information. Mind maps do
not have this limitation.
Visual maps allow the separate encoding of information in
memory in visual and in propositional form. This phenomenon is
called conjoint retention or dual coding [13].
As a consequence, processing information textually and
visually help learning and working more than by using only one
modality.

4. Why Does Mind

Mapping Work?
4.1 Some Generic Reasons [14]
A
 lmost 50% of your brain is focused on visual processing.
70% of all your sensory receptors are in your eyes.
We can get the sense of a visual scene in less than 1/10 of
a second. The retina is actually part of our Central Nervous
System [15].
Researchers found that color visuals increase the willingness
to read by 80%.
People better understand medicine labels when they have text
AND pictures.
People following directions with text and illustrations do 323%
better than people following directions without illustrations.
If information is displayed visually, individuals are 17% more
productive and need to use 20% fewer mental resources.
Teams that use visualization tools to collaborating on a project,
use 10% fewer mental resources and are a whole 8% more
productive.
The brain can identify images seen for as little as 13
milliseconds. [16]
We can try to look for detailed reasons in four different areas
of application of mind mapping

 reativity
C
Learning
Productivity
Analysis of complex information

4.2 Creativity
There is evidence suggesting that mind mapping helps to
generate more ideas, reach deeper meaning and uncover
information. One generates more ideas and is easier to try new
pathways due to the visual nature of the technique.
The examples of Da Vinci, Darwin, Descartes and many others,
proves that great thinkers have often been visual thinkers.
Our way of thinking tends to happen in a disordered or even
random manner. It is extremely difficult to capture it completely
using a linear approach. The associative nature of our mind
makes it easier for us to work with visual information.
Mahmud et al. [17] found that the use of mind mapping
increases the level of creativity of students.
the 95 percent possibility is that the average student using
the mind map can generate more ideas than the traditional
system with 2 standard deviation.
Payko et al. [18] found that using mind mapping in
Brainstorming sessions improved the quality and quantity of
the issues cooperation in the group, and critical thinking was
facilitated which provided the background for collaborative
problem solving.
Dell et al. [19] conducted a study over a two-year period
in which students were exposed to and expected to use mind
mapping in project and individual work. The study showed that
mind mapping impacts positively their learning and is a very
effective tool to enhance creative and innovative thinking.
Holland et al. [20] investigated if mind mapping could be
used to improve the study and planning skills of second year
Digital Media students. They found that mind mapping clearly
helped students in improving the structure, coherence and
quality of their written work.
Mind mapping can also be integrated in known creativity
techniques. [21]

4.3 Teaching and Learning

10

Farrand et al. [22] found that there was a significant

performance difference on memory recall between a group
studying using traditional note-taking and another group
that employed mind mapping. They used a 600-word text

from Scientific American and 50 medical students who were

exposed to the text. Three short tests based upon the text were
administered.
The third test, administered one week later, revealed that the
group using mind mapping had significantly higher factual recall
compared to the group using traditional note-taking.
Mind maps provide an effective study technique when applied
to written material. However, before mind maps are generally
adopted as a study technique, consideration has to be given
towards ways of improving motivation amongst users. ibid.
Al-Jarf et al. [23] found significant difference in writing
achievement between students who received traditional writing
instruction and those who were trained to use a mind mapping
software.
DAntoni et al. [24] found that the mind mapping Assessment
Rubric may be a valid and reliable tool that can be used to detect
changes in knowledge among medical students.
Wickramasinghe et al. [25] found no statistically significant
difference between the two groups of medical students; one
of them using mind mapping and the other using traditional
learning techniques. However, all the participants using mind
mapping realized that it was a helpful way of memorizing
information. Almost all (97.1%) from that group perceived the
technique as a useful method of summarizing information and
wanted to follow the technique for their future studies.
Akbarnejad et al. [26] found that a control group who
received class discussion on films showed lower level of language
achievement than those who took notes based on the mind
mapping method.
Deshatty et al. [27] found that mind mapping helps medical
students in learning Anatomy. It should be encouraged as a
learning tool in gross Anatomy along with the standard notetaking method.
Karpicke et al. [28] found that retrieval practice produces
more learning than elaborative studying with concept mapping.
Ritchie et al. [29] found that retrieval practice, with or without
mind mapping, boosts fact learning in Primary School children. A
result consistent with what Karpicke found.
Javadnia et al. [30] found, in a study comparing mind
mapping and conventional PowerPoint presentations in head
and neck osteology, that female medical students in the mind

11

mapping group performed better than those in the traditional

group.
Schweizer [31] found that idea mapping could be taught
successfully to undergraduate students taking a business course,
and that it could be taught in only two to three class periods.
Idea mapping should be integrated into the curriculum.

4.4 Productivity
A survey [32] confirms that the use of mind mapping software
causes a 23% increase in productivity. 69% say that it allows
them to handle more complex projects. 59% say that they would
not be able to produce the same quality of work without using it.
A study carried out by Mindlab International for Mindjet,
looked into how office workers manage existing data through
traditional software and what developments could be made to
impact on the efficiency of how it was managed. One of the key
findings of the research suggests that when carrying out routine,
everyday tasks in the office, if the data is displayed more visually,
individuals are 17% more productive and need to use 20%
less mental resources. Teams collaborating on a joint project
use 10% less mental resources and are a whole 8% more
productive when using visualisation tools. [33,34]
More studies are necessary in this area, especially in the case
of using mind mapping automation, where no studies have been
done due to the novelty of the software.
BOX 4.1
However, a simple if less scientific way to know whether mind
mapping does really work or not, is to find someone who has
been using this technique professionally for some time and
try to convince her to return to work with linear text only.

12

4.5 Myths About the Brain and that Are

Sometimes Used in Relation to Mind Mapping.
Myth 1. People are either right-brained or
left-brained.
Nobody is fully right or left-brained. Lateralization of brain
function is a fact, both sides still work together. We usually do
things better when both sides are used. Brain scanning technology
has shown that there is a very close working relationship between
them. A very important example is language processing; the left
side processes grammar and pronunciation, and the right side
processes intonation.
Myth 2. The brain cannot make new cells.
The brain constantly makes new cells and remains plastic.
The process of making new cells is known as neurogenesis. It
happens at least in the hippocampus. In an article published in
Cell [35] researchers of the Karolinska Institutet concluded that
neurons are generated throughout adulthood.
Myth 3. You only use 10 percent of your brain.
We use virtually every part of the brain, and most of the brain
is active almost all the time.
Neurologist Barry Beyerstein [36] offers seven kinds of reasons
to refute this myth:
Studies of brain damage: If 90% of the brain is normally

unused, then damage to these areas should have no effect.

However, even slight damage to any area of the brain can
have serious effects.

E volution: If 90% of the brain were unnecessary there would

be a large evolutive advantage to humans with smaller and
more efficient brains. Natural selection would have eliminated
inefficient brains.
In childbirth, there are risks of death in childbirth associated
with the high brain size. There would be a selection pressure
against such a large brain size if only 10% was used.

13

 B
 rain imaging: PET and fMRI brain imaging show that even
during sleep, all parts of the brain show some level of activity,
not only 10% of it.
Localization of function: The brain has distinct regions with

different kinds of functions. No area of the brain has been

found without any function.

Microstructural analysis: The single-unit recording technique

would have detected if 90% of the brain were unused.

Metabolic studies: The technique of take-up of radioactively

labelled 2-deoxyglucose has not shown any evidence of a

90% inactivity of the brain.

Neural disease: Autopsy of adult brains would reveal large-

scale degeneration if 90% or the brain was active, because of

the tendency to degenerate of cells that are not used.

14

5. Creation Of Mind
Maps
There are several general ways of creating mind maps:
Manual
1. Paper and pen-based.
2. Digital-based. Using Tablet software.
3. Digital-based. Using desktop mind mapping software.
4. Digital-based. Using web mind mapping software.
Automated
5. Digital-based. Using web or desktop based mind mapping
software automation.
BOX 5.1
Every mind map that is created manually will always be
unique. The number of possible combinations of text, number
and shape of topics, typefaces, colors, levels and organization
of topics, structures guarantee the uniqueness of each mind
map created manually.
Manual and automated digital-based mind maps produce the
same result: a mind map file. It is the creation process that is
different. In the manual version, the author enters the information
by typing it using one of the available mind mapping programs.
In order to create the examples in this book, we are going to
use the software Mind ManagerTM [37] by Mindjet. This is the
best-known and popular mind mapping software program in the
market.
Mind Manager works on desktop, web, tablet and smartphone.
It has an academic version. It is very easy to use and really powerful.
A trial version of Mind Manager can be downloaded from this
web page: http://now.mindjet.com/l/31822/2014-08-25/bjqvh

15

5.1 Manual paper and pen-based mind mapping

Paper and pen-based mind mapping is an option when the
handwriting quality of the author is high. The factors to take into
account deciding whether to use this option are:

L egibility
Accuracy
Speed
Reliability
Size of the paper
Need for modification
Layout complexity
Ease of collaboration

One of the advantages of using this option is that, in addition

to the visual stimulus, we have the haptical experience [38]

This is an example of paper and pen-based mind map.

Process of creation of a paper and pen-based Mind Map

16

1. You will need blank paper and colored pens or pencils.

DIN A4 or DIN A3 paper
Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens, 10 or 20 Pack (Desktop
stand)
2. Use the landscape position for the paper.

 3. Start with the central idea or item of information.

4. Choose the type of style of the border around the text.
5. Choose upper or lower case.
6. Choose the color of the text.
7. Choose an image to include with the text (optional).
8. Add branches to the central idea or item of information. You
can use different colors.
9. Add the main ideas or items of information to the end of the
branches.
10. Repeat steps 4 to 7 for each main idea or item of information.
11. Add new branches to the new ideas or items of information
and repeat steps 8 and 9
12. Stop when there are no more ideas or items of information
to add.

5.2 Manual, Graphics Tablet mind mapping

When we use graphics tablets [39] to create the mind map, the
process is similar to the one described in the case of paper and
pen. Nevertheless, in this case, we do not have to worry about
paper or pens and pencils. We still have the haptical experience.

Mind map created with SketchBook software [40]

Some mind mapping software products offer a Pen-based

interface to draw manually mind maps with graphics tablets.

17

5.3 Manual, desktop mind mapping software

This is the most common option due to the following features:

F ast creation and modification.

Easy to create complex layouts.
Font styles and colors.
Branch styles and colors.
No size limit.
Images easily inserted.
Spreadsheets.
Charts.
Videos.
Hyperlinks.
Attachments.
Exportable to other formats (PDF, Image, HTML, )

Some disadvantages of this option are the following:

N
 o haptical experience
Difficult to collaborate on
Software has to be installed in each device from where we
need to access the mind map

18

In the case of digital-based manual mind map creation, the

process can be divided into the following steps:
BOX 5.2
1. Start with the central idea or item of information. (When
using software, each idea or item of information is usually
called a Topic.)
2. Choose the type of style of the border around the text.
3. Choose the font style, size and color of the text.
4. Enter the text.
5. Choose an image to include with the text (optional).
6. Choose attachments, hyperlinks (optional)
7. Add Notes (optional)
8. Add sub-topics to the topic.
9. Repeat steps 2-8 for each sub-topic
10. Stop when there are no more ideas or items of information to add.
11. Reorganize the topics, change colors, sizes, styles, ordering, add callouts or relationships, align the topics and
many other details.
These steps are no strict rules. You can always add your
personal style to them. There are too many variables involved
in the creation process as to define precise rules for all of them.
Another important aspect is the growth direction of the mind
map. These are the most common options in the case of Mind
Manager:

19

Example of digital-based manual mind map.

The previous figure represents a model for the display of a

medical history to be filled in manually.

5.4 Manual, web mind mapping software

Online collaboration helps people communicate in a very
effective way. Mind mapping is especially suitable for collaborative
work due to its dynamic and flexible nature.
Sometimes Desktop mind mapping software products have a
web based version, in other cases they only have a web version.

Example of a mind map created using Mindjet web software. [37]

20

5.5 Terminology in mind mapping software

When using mind mapping software there are certain concepts
that are widely employed. In order to have a common language,
we have to define those terms.
Topic: Idea expressed as a text, a picture or both. They are the
fundamental components of any mind map.
There are five basic types of topics:

Central Topic (initial topic). One per mind map.

Main topic. Directly connected to the Central Topic. Unlimited number of them, but
usually not more than 7.

Sub-topic. Any topic under the Main Topics.

Floating Topic. Topic not connected to any other topic.

Size, color and morphology of the topics are completely free.

In this example, we have used bigger size for the central topic
but this is not a rule.

Callout Topic.

Relationship. To link two topics that have something in common but do not depend
hierarchically.

21

Hyperlink. Link of one of the topics to a web page or another topic.

Attachment. Files attached to a topic.

Notes. Notes that can be added to any topic when a long text is needed to describe
the topic.

22

5.6 Mind mapping software automation

In this option, mind maps are generated by mind mapping
automation [41]. A program reads and processes XML files,
text files, data bases or other types of structured information
like web sites to generate mind maps. This process can lead
to the generation of a single mind map or thousands of them
depending on the type of application.

Example of an automated mind map. [42]

In this example, the information contained in a data base

storing patient information is processed, and a mind map file is
generated. The result can simply be displayed on a web page,
downloaded or sent by email to the patient. In the latter case,
the mind map can be visualized on a desktop, laptop, tablet or
smartphone.

23

6. Uses Of Manual
(Pen & Paper Or Digital)
Mind Mapping Techniques

6.1 Teaching
Mind mapping can be used at different stages of the teaching
process.
Before the class starts
o 
Curriculum design
To define essential tasks and plan the requirements of the
year. Lessons, required reading, exercises, tests, quizzes,
problems, projects and exams can all be created with the
help of mind mapping.
o 
MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) design and
preparation
Preparing a MOOC can be very time consuming, using
mind mapping can reduce the amount of time needed.
o Creation of handouts
They can include mind maps to be used by the students.
Mind maps engage students very quickly. They display
overviews in a very small space, making easy to understand
complex subjects.
Hyperlinks or PDF attachments of references can be added
to facilitate the work of the students.
Fill-in-the-blanks mind maps can also be included.

24

 During the class

o Delivering Lessons
Lesson delivery can be done using mind maps to display an
overview of the subject.
The handouts can be used by the students to add notes
and comments.
After the class
o Collaboration
Students can work together using mind maps on group
projects. They can do it sharing paper mind maps or online.
o Comprehension
Students can use mind maps to review the subject and add
new ideas in the form of new topics in the mind map.
o Assessment
Students can use mind maps to express their ideas about
the subject studied. Teachers can then use the mind maps
created to assess the understanding of the subject.
o Examinations
Using partially filled mind maps.

6.2 Learning
Meaningful learning takes place by the assimilation of new
concepts into the existing concept framework held by the learner.
Mind maps are very useful in this process. Students of medicine
are exposed to large amounts of information, and usually they
have to acquire it in a passive way by reading, listening and
observing.
The use of mind mapping includes an active component in
the learning process. In order to create a mind map, the students
need to have understood the concepts and be able to organize
and apply them. This process is active because students are
creating something new, their own mind map of the subject
under study. This is something completely different to retaining
information in order to memorize it.
Mind mapping can be used at different stages of the learning
process.

25

 Before the class starts

o Lesson Preparation

Planning of the lessons. Research on the subject and
organization of the information collected. Information in
PDF or spreadsheet format can be attached to topics and
hyperlinks to relevant web sites can be added.
During the class
o Note-taking
Using the mind maps of the handouts or creating new
ones based on the research done during the preparation
of the lesson.
After the class
o Collaboration
Students can work together using mind maps on group
projects. They can do it by sharing mind maps on paper or
online.
o Comprehension
Review of the lessons to solve doubts or clarify concepts.
mind maps can be useful in creating questions for the
teacher about complicated issues.
o Homework
Mind maps help to analyze complex problems and find
solutions.
o Exam preparation
They can be used as a tool to review the lessons.
Here are some references [43-49] related to teaching and
learning in medicine.

6.3 Note-taking

26

Note-taking can be used in the classroom and also in other

situations, for example, meetings, presentations, conferences.
One can start with an empty mind map or create one that
summarizes the previous knowledge about the subject. This will
save a lot of time. If possible, try to anticipate issues that might
arise during the meeting.
Meetings are rarely linear and this is another reason why mind
mapping is more useful than linear text when taking notes.

In presentations and meetings, it is very difficult to capture

the main ideas accurately while also listening and trying to learn.
Mind mapping can help in this type of situations.
When employing digital mind mapping (tablet or ultrabook) it
is sometimes useful to create floating topics and move them to
their final position in the mind map when there is time. If there is
a lot of information, it is often helpful to use keywords and add
descriptive content later. It is at times useful to create a set of
templates for each type of event.
By using mind mapping, we solve the problem of the complexity
of full sentences and big blocks of text. Mind mapping draws
attention to key points and stimulates recall.
There are several strategies to improve the process. One is to
take notes with pen and paper and transfer the information to
digital form after the event is finished.
Using colors improves the mind map but it can take some
extra time. A possible solution is to use only one color during the
presentation or meeting and make a color version later.
It is always safer to try to take more detailed notes than you
may need.
In order to avoid problems, abreviations should be simple and
consistent.
This is an interesting reference about note-taking with mind
mapping [50]

6.4 Publishing
The most difficult part of any writing project is to get started.
Mind mapping is a very useful tool for this purpose. With mind
mapping one can start creating ideas and organizing them in
relation to each other.
After a good mind map has been created, the author fills in the
blanks with the proper content. The most time consuming part
of creating a good structure for the rest of the work is already
done. All references cited in the work can be added to the mind
map as hyperlinks (web pages) or attachments (PDF). Notes and
callouts can be used to add comments giving details of the work.
The mind map serves as a road map of the project. It also
allows one to publish other versions in the future.
Before creating the mind map of the content, one can start
by planning the project using mind mapping [51]. Goals, target

27

readers, interest of the readers and previous works created by

competitors can be identified and studied. Mind Manager and
many other software tools support Gantt charts that can be very
useful.
Another mind map can be dedicated to a social media action
plan in order to promote the work.
In the future, mind mapping is going to play an important
role in epublishing [52]. This reference is a proposal for the use
of mind mapping is scholarly epublishing. Publishing papers as
PDF is a very useful approach, but mind mapping offers many
more possibilities and all the advantages of PDF. The PDF file is
merely an attachment to the mind map that contains the article
to be published. Using a mind map as the vehicle for an article
has multiple advantages; and one of them is the possibility of
collaboration on the web.
BOX 6.1
One idea for the future is that every article or book
published should be accompanied by a mind map created
by the authors containing a summary of the content of the
publication.
In a hospital, for example, probably ten or twenty people
are reading an article at roughly the same time; it would
be much better to study a simple mind map and check for
the details in the article or book later and only in case of
need. Depending on the type of use, reading the mind map
might be enough. This would create a significant increase in
productivity.
The ideal would be to create a different mind map for every
type of reader.
The mind map might also be used by peer reviewers during
the peer review process.

28

6.5 Information Overload

This term was popularized by Alvin Toffler, in the context of
the information society, in his book Future Shock [53]. Our brain
has certain cognitive limitations as it is described by Klingberg
[54] and this facilitates the information overload that we suffer.
The main cause of information overloading in medicine (and
in other disciplines) is the accumulation of

E -mail messages
Google search results
Blogs to create and update
Newsletters
Academic articles
Academic books
Twitter messages
RSS content
Medical records

Professionals need to receive filtered information. Mind

mapping is one of the best ways of reducing information
overload. It can also be applied to the information received by
the patients.
Shirky [55] thinks that the problem is filter failure and not
information overload. Mind mapping can improve the quality of
available filters.
The use of mind mapping and filter web sites like Intensive
Care Monitor [56] or The Cochrane Collaboration [57] can help
to minimize the effects of information overload.
Mind mapping can help to solve the information overload
problem in several ways. The first one is to use a mind map as
an information organizer. A mind map is used as a repository
for all information that we have to read, study or store. This can
be done manually with mind mapping software, or using mind
mapping automation.
This is an example of a simple template to organize all the
information we find interesting to analyze and store.

29

Overview of the template

Detail of the information and links to web sites

30

The second way to fight information overload is by combining

mind mapping with other techniques. One of these techniques
is Evernote [58], a software application for note taking and
archiving. A note in Evernote can be a formatted text, a webpage,
a picture, a voice recording, or a handwritten ink note. You can
add file attachments to notes. Evernote supports Windows, Mac
OS X, Chrome OS, Android, iOS, etc. It has web and desktop
versions.

Evernote web version.

Mind Manager web version exports information to Evernote.

Using hyperlinks, you can create relationships between topics in
a mind map and specific parts of Evernote. In this way, it is very
easy to build a mind map containing an Evernote dashboard.
The main advantages of Evernote are text recognition in
pictures; synchronization of web, desktop and smartphone; and
voice and snapshot notes from the smartphone. The combination
of Evernote and mind mapping is synergistic.
This is a link to an interesting blog with information about
how to use Evernote [59].
Infoseg [60] is working in the development of a better
interface between Evernote and mind mapping. This could be an
important step in our fight against information overload.

31

6.6 Analysis of Complex Information

The volume and complexity of information in our times are
enormous, and we need to use better visualization techniques to
organize and display it.
By complex information we mean lots of items of
information or a few items of information with lots of
interactions. This is referred to as Big Data.
In both cases, mind mapping can be very useful in visualizing
information in a meaningful way.
The complexity of the information makes it difficult to be
understood by inexperienced users. Mind mapping improves the
understandability of complex information.
Mind mapping allows the strategy of partitioning complex
information into smaller subsets.
This process of creating mind maps to visualize complex
information can be done manually but it is obviously preferable
to automate the process.
The possibility of combining ordinary topics, floating topics,
callouts, notes, images, spreadsheets, charts, attachments
and links increases the possibilities of partitioning the complex
information in order to visualize it more effectively.
Mind mapping is a very interesting technique to create
interfaces for Big Data [61] .
From the point of view of mind mapping, complex information
in medicine can be grouped into these categories:

32

F ields of medicine.
Anatomical parts.
Effects, Risks.
Micro-organisms.
Nursing care plans.
Toxicology.
Pathogenesis.
Diseases, Syndromes, Allergies, Disorders.
Lab tests reports.
Pharmacology of drugs.
Emergencies procedures.

T reatments.
Surgery.
Differential diagnosis.
Statistics.
Open Data web sites.
Management Reports.
The information can have mainly the following sources:

 rticles.
A
Books.
E-Books.
Videos.
Presentations.
Meeting Notes.
Personal communications.
Theses.
Web sites.
A combination of all the above.

Mind mapping using software allows us to add attachments

and web hyperlinks. When the source is an article, e-book,
presentation, video or thesis, it can be added to the mind map
as an attachment.
When the source is a web site, it can be added to the mind
map as a hyperlink.
6.6.1 Examples
Fields of medicine: Neurology

33

Information from the Oxford American Handbook of Neurology [62]

Detail of the Neurology mind map

Anatomical parts: Globus Pallidus

Overview + hyperlink to healthline.com

34

Detail + hyperlink. Information from Grays Anatomy [63].

Effects, risks: Risks of smoking

Overview

Detail of main risks. Information from several sources [64].

35

Micro-organisms: Corona viruses

Overview

Detail of Replication + hyperlink to web site

Information from Jawetz [65].

Nursing care plans: Bipolar Disorder
Nursing care plans provide directions for the individualized
care of a patient, and is based on a nursing diagnosis and
assessment. The use of mind mapping [66] adds more dimensions
to the traditional linear Nursing care plans. It enhances clinical
reasoning skills of nurses.

36

Nursing Care Plan in a case of bipolar disorder. Information from nursingcrib [67]

Detail of the rationale and evaluation topics.

Toxicology: Chloramphenicol

Overview + hyperlink to web page.

Detail of adverse reactions. Information extracted from [68]

37

Pathogenesis: Ebola virus

Overview

Detail + hyperlink to web site. Information from [69]

Diseases, Syndromes, Allergies, Disorders: Fever of Unknown

Origin (FUO)

Overview

38

Detail of Definition. [70]

Lab test reports: Blood test [71]

Overview

Detail of Complete Blood Count

39

Pharmacology of drugs: Benzodiazepines [72,73]

Overview

Detail of pharmacology + hyperlink to a web site [74]

Emergencies
wounds [75]

procedures:

Evaluating

and

Overview

40

Detail of hemostasis and foreign body and hair removal

preparing

Detail of clinical features

Treatments: Antihypertensive agents

Overview

Detail of diuretics with callout and notes. [72,73]

Surgery: Total Knee Replacement (TKR)

Overview showing the 8 steps [76]

41

Detail of the incision

Implanting the femoral component

Differential diagnosis: A template

Template

Detail of the analysis of symptoms

42

Detail of the diagnostic possibilities

Statistics: R [77]
R is a powerful tool for statistical analysis but the linear
structure of the results obtained makes it difficult to understand
and analyze such vast amount of information.
Mind mapping offers a lot of help in the grouping and
visualization of the information.
This is an example [78] of the type of result that can be obtained
when mind mapping is used to improve the visualization of the
results. In this example, the mind map has been created manually,
but it could also be created by mind mapping automation.

Overview of a sample statistical analysis

Description of the problem

43

Detail of describe(impact)

Detail of control histograms.

Detail of density plots.

44

Comparison of concussed versus control density plots

Correlational analysis. Scatterplot matrix.

6.7 Summarization of Documents

Mind mapping is the ideal tool for summarizing articles and
books. Mind maps can be used as a way of keeping a short
version of the documents for ourselves or to share them with
other people. It can also help to organize the information
contained in the document in a way that makes sense to you.
In environments where many people have to read an article or
a book, one person could read the originals and produce mind
map versions to distribute to the rest of the involved people. This
could save lots of time when there is no need of knowing all
details of the original documents or to use the mind maps as a
preview before going into the details. Obviously this idea would
only apply to the cases where the reader is not interested in the
story aspects or is simply reading for the pleasure of it.
A mind mapping library can be built and shared on-line. In
case of having the proper software, this library can be used for
online collaboration using the internet.
The mind map can be improved by adding comments or
questions to be answered later.
Before creating the mind map one has to decide the purpose
for making it. Is it for increasing your knowledge? Is it for
coursework? Is it to be given to another person? Is it to prepare
a presentation? Is it to create a review of a book? One has to
read the article or book with that purpose in mind.
The mind map can be created at the same time the article or
book is read or after taking notes while the document is read
and creating the mind map later from the notes and checking
the book in case of need.

45

When mind mapping a book, the main topics can be the

chapters. You can drill down into as deep a level of detail as it is
needed, depending on the purpose of the mind map.
Try to create keywords and use them as titles in the topics.
In both cases, articles and books, it can be interesting to
add two main topics, one called Actions and another for an
overview of the whole book. In this topic, you can include all
actions suggested by the content of the document and that you
will take.
6.7.1 Summarization of an article
Lets create a summary of a sample article [79]. Shifted
intrinsic connectivity of central executive and salience network in
borderline personality disorder
This is quite a complex article and mind mapping is very useful
to minimize its complexity.

Overview of the mind map of the sample article

In this case, we have used this structure (Authorship,

Research question. Hypothesis tested, How the, Results,
Interpretation References). However, this can be adapted to
other types of articles.

46

Authors and affiliations.

Research question and reason for the study (with a hyperlink to a reference)

References

Hypothesis tested

How the hypothesis was tested

47

Subjects

Results

6.7.2 Summarization of a book

In the case of books, we can use several levels of detail when
creating the mind map. It will depend on the purpose of the
mind map. The mind map can have several uses,

48

P ersonal use, to understand the content of the book without

a further use of it
Personal use, to prepare further study
To prepare a Review of the book
To explain the content to other people

In the next example [80], we will assume that we need a

detailed understanding of the content of the book. In this case,
we will create a detailed mind map.

Overview of the book with the 9 chapters.

First chapter

Introduction of the first chapter

Placebos become respectable with hyperlink to The Powerful Placebo [81]

The long birth of the clinical trial

49

The placebo control

A single mind map contains all detailed information of a book.

Mind maps are a lot easier to browse through and review than
books when not too much time is available.

6.8 Creation of presentations

Options:
C
 reate a mind map to facilitate the preparation of a PowerPoint
presentation
Create a mind map to be used instead of a PowerPoint
In the first case, the mind map has to include a main topic
dedicated to the logistics of the presentation:
P urpose
Audience
Resources needed
The rest of the topics will be dedicated to the content of the
presentation.

50

Template of how to create a PowerPoint presentation using Mind Manager

Description of the presentation

References needed. They can be hyperlinks, attached files or textual.

Slides structure and content

Handouts to be delivered during the presentation

Final PowerPoint presentation

51

Once you have the mind map, you can start creating the
PowerPoint following the main ideas of the mind map. Mind
Manager allows you to create slides of the topics and export
them to PowerPoint.
This option is better when the same presentation has been
done several times before, and the concepts are very clear.
The second option is to create the presentation directly on
a mind map. Mind Manager has a presentation mode that
allows to move through the topics of the mind map. The topics
automatically expand and collapse as you move through them.
One of the advantages of this option is that you can make
annotations on the mind map during the presentation. You can
also modify the flow of topics very easily. You can include notes
at each level of the topics.

Sample presentation [82] to examine the Walkthrough feature of Mind Manager

The sample presentation is used to examine the possibilities of

Mind Managers Walkthrough feature in presentations.

Step 1

52

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

AIn this way, we can walkthrough all the content of the

presentation.
A mind map avoids the linearity of PowerPoint presentations.
You can go from a topic to another. A mind map that drills down
on the main topics, helps to visualize details while keeping the full
structure in view. This helps understanding the concepts better
compared to the typical bullet lists of PowerPoint presentations,
A mind map helps you avoid reading your presentations
word by word (a typical mistake made when giving PowerPoint
presentations). You can, instead, speak freely about the concepts.
This option is better for new presentations when you dont
know how the audience will react to the information that is
presented.

6.9 Planning
Project management software like MS Project put too much
emphasis on details of the project instead of the global view
of the project. This can produce a lack of focus on the main
objectives of the project.
Mind mapping can help us to have a global view.
A template for simple project management could include
these main topics:

 bjectives
O
Resources
Tasks
Meetings

53

Mind map template for simple projects

Mind maps are excellent for the first phase of breaking a

project into manageable parts. Brainstorm the ideas for the
project-related tasks with your peers and enhance the quality of
the project objectives. Kick-off your project plan in a mind map
and see the big picture!

6.10 Creativity
Mind mapping is one of the best ways of displaying a visual
representation of your thoughts. This visual representation helps
the process of creativity. The elements of mind mapping (text,
icons, images, links, attachments, spreadsheets, charts, notes,
relationships, callouts) help to think creatively.
Mind mapping is a much more powerful approach to creativity
than simply listing your ideas in order. With mind mapping you
have no restriction for your thoughts when displaying them on
paper or a screen.
You can use this technique in decision making or when looking
for the solution to a problem.

54

Overview of a Decision Making template using mind mapping

6.11 Brainstorming
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary brainstorming
[83] is:
a group problem-solving technique that involves the
spontaneous contribution of ideas from all members
of the Group
In general brainstorming is to be used by a group of people
to find and develop creative ideas. But you can also try to do it
on your own. The basic way of doing brainstorming is to capture
ideas quickly without having time to assess them.
After the initial step of idea capture, we need to refine or
eliminate the ideas and critical evaluation of the remaining ones.
In medicine, we can use brainstorming in diagnosis, medical
device development [84], communication, health care delivery
system, prescription of adequate doses of exercise medicine for
patients [85], understanding how to reduce health-care costs
[86] and, in general, in any problem where finding a solution is
not straightforward.
When preparing a Brainstorming session it is useful to do
some planning first. For example, try to define the number of
participants, from which disciplines, departments or functions
are they going to be, and timetable.

55

There are usually four basic rules:

T he more ideas, the better, even if they are not well articulated
at first.
Criticism is ruled out initially. Ideas can be improved later.
Strange ideas are welcome. Ideas can be adapted afterwards.
Try to combine ideas created by other people.
Then we can go into the creative phase of the process,
analyzing the ideas, questioning assumptions, and looking for
new angles.
This is a simple template to use before, during and after the
Brainstorming session.

Overview of the template

Details of description, objectives and points to discuss

56

Minutes of the brainstorming session

Details of the actions after session and dession review

Mind Manager does also have a Brainstorm feature that

allows to:
D
 efine Challenges
Generate Ideas
Categorize & refine

6.12 Online Collaboration

People with shared goals can work together using mind
mapping software on the web. Mind maps can be co-edited and
files exchanged securely using a common interface.
Access is provided from the web, desktop, and mobile devices.
This allows collaboration from anywhere.
The software allows to give permission to other people to
interact with the map in different ways: read-only or edit.

57

A new user of a mind map is added to the list.

The new user receives an invitation to share the map by email

58

7. Applications Of Mind
Mapping Automation In
Medicine

Generation of a mind map from an XML file

The origin of the information can be an XML file, a Data Base,

a generic text file or any sort of structured information.
There are scores of possible applications of mind mapping
automation in medicine. Between them, we have chosen the
following ones:
7.1 Personal Health Record (PHR).
7.2 MeSH.
7.3 ICD-10.
7.4 Management Reporting Admissions Department.
7.5 Management Reporting Outpatient Visits Department.
7.6 Open Data in Medicine. Clinical Trials.
7.7 Social Network visualization.
7.8 Mind mapping and GIS.
7.9 eCTD (Regulatory Pharmaceutics.)
7.10 From outline text to mind maps.
7.11 From speech recognition to mind maps.

59

7.12 From BCI to mind maps.

7.13 Big Data.
7.14 Pre-Operative instructions.
7.15 Discharge instructions for patients.
7.16 Data base documentation.
7.17 Integration of Google Search results.
7.18 Medicine labels as mind maps
7.19 Drug Interactions and mind mapping automation
BOX 7.1
In general, mind mapping automation applications consist on
reading information from data bases, XML files, text files or
web sites in order to generate mind maps that can be downloaded from a web site or sent to an email address.

7.1 Personal Health Record (PHR) [42]

Overview

Identification of the patient

60

Healthcare providers

Treatments

Allergies and adverse drug reactions

Imaging reports

Lab test results

61

Useful web hyperlinks

Appointment scheduling and reminders

BOX 7.2
Every patient should have a Tablet or smartphone where she
could store and visualize mind maps related to her medical
information. Personal Health Record, discharge instructions,
medical appointments, pre-operative instructions and data
recorded manually by the own patient or stored automatically
from medical devices.

7.2 MeSH [87]

MeSH [88] is the National Library of Medicines controlled
vocabulary thesaurus. It is used by NLM for indexing articles
from 5,400 of the worlds leading biomedical journals for the
MEDLINE/PubMED database.
The following example has been created using Python and C#
for mind mapping automation.

62

Overview

Detail

Detail

Detail

Pharmacological Action List

Concept List

63

This kind of application is useful when you are creating new

IT applications or updating existing ones and they use MeSH.
Users find it easier to work with mind maps than with other
tools like UML, for example. The same reasoning is valid for
the case of ICD-10.

7.3 International Classification of Diseases

(ICD-10) [89]
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is the
standard diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management
and clinical purposes.
ICD-10 was endorsed by the Forty-third World Health Assembly
in May 1990 and came into use in WHO Member States as from
1994.
The following example has been created using Python and C#
for mind mapping automation [90].

The 22 chapters of ICD-10

Detail of included and excluded diseases

64

Blocks of diseases and detail of one of them

Detail of block A00-A09

Detail of A02

65

Detail of A04

7.4 Management Reporting Admissions

Department [91]
Management reporting can help to improve the quality of
the patient care provided. mind mapping automation has a very
important role to play in that respect. We will use admission
information as an example of what can be done.
BOX 7.3
The sample mind map would be generated automatically
every other hour and sent by email to selected managers.
These mind maps would be visualized on the tablet or smartphone screens immediately after reception.
This system should help to detect bottlenecks, decrease the
patients overall length of stay, improve patient satisfaction,
improve the patient flow, and optimize the use of resources.
The sample mind map is just a simulation of what could
be created in a real situation. To simplify the problem, only 4
variables have been used: Type of admission, Time of admission,
Level of care and Discharges

66

Overview. Analysis by year, month, week and day.

Statistics by Type of admission.

Chart by Type of admission

Statistics by Time of admission

67

Statistics by Level of care

Discharges statistics

68

Comparison of month, week and day statistics

Comparison of week and day statistics using charts.

7.5 Management Reporting Outpatient Visits

Department
In this example, the variables used are:

S pecialty
Type of disease
Physician
Nurse
Time of the visit
Level of care

Other variables could be added to this list; for example, age

and sex of the patient, tests, cumulative number of visits or
duration of the visit. However, for the sake of clarity only a few
variables have been used. mind mapping makes it extremely easy
to add new variables to this kind of reports.
In the case of an outpatient visits department, it is not so
important to have real time reports at different times during the
day. Maybe one or two reports a day should be enough, but this
depends on the specific situation. In the case of management
reports, frequency depends on several factors.
For this example, we have used a gastroenterology and
hepatology outpatient visits department. As in the admissions
department example, we have grouped information in four
blocks, day, week, month and year. The information is always
cumulative. In the charts, only the four highest values of the
variable have been displayed.

69

Overview of the report

Detail of a year (the same structure for month, week and day)

In this example, we have used icons to clarify the content

of each section and to facilitate viewing the information when
using tablets and smartphones.

Overview of all sections of the four blocks

70

Detail of daily results by speciality.

Comparison of daily and weekly data by specialty

Detail of the chart by specialty for the day. Only the chart for this variable is used in the example.

Comparison of daily and weekly charts by specialty

71

Comparison of the charts for year, month, week and day

Information by type of disease

Comparison of weekly and daily data by nurse

Data by level of care

7.6 Open Data in medicine. Clinical Trials. [92]

72

As an example, we are going to use information downloaded

from Clinical Trials [93].
This is a registry and results data base maintained by the
National Library of medicine [94].

Sample XML file from the Clinical Trials web site.

Mind map generated from the XML file.

Identification

Status

73

Study details

Elegibility details.

In this case, the Open Data site had XML files ready to be
downloaded. In other cases the procedure is more dynamic and
the user can select the information she wants to download, and
an ad hoc XML file is created.

7.7 Visualization of Social Network Information

[95,96]

74

Visualization of Linkedin contacts. In this case organized by country.

In this application, six types of mind maps are created: Contacts

organized by country, company, industry, and last name; results
of Companies search; and results of Jobs search.

Visualization of Twitter information [96]

Detail of the last six tweets read

In this case the information extracted from Twitter is grouped

in five blocks: profile, followers, following, lists and last tweets.

7.8 Applications of mind mapping in GIS [97]

Mind mapping can also be applied to GIS and epidemiology.

Monitoring of Ebola Virus outbreaks

75

JPEG map and hyperlink to ESRI Story Map

Timeline of the outbreaks

Statistics of the outbreaks by strain and country

7.9 eCTD. Regulatory Pharmaceutics [98]

76

The electronic Common Technical Document (eCTD) describes

the organisation of modules, sections and documents to be used
by an applicant for a marketing authorisation for a medicinal
product for human use. The eCTD is an interface for industry
to agency transfer of regulatory information. Mind mapping
visualization helps in the preparation of the document and in its
analysis.

Sample eCTD as a mind map

Metadata of a PDF file

PDF metadata and attachment

7.10 From outline text to mind maps. IM-T2MM

[99]
This is a truly useful tool when you want to create a mind map
and you have some sort of outline of the contents in a text file. It
is also very helpful when you prefer to create the text using a text
editor instead of typing it out directly using mind mapping software.
You simply have to format the outline using the TAB key of
your keyboard and IM-T2MM will interpret the indentation as
topics and subtopics of a mind map and will create it.
Lets have a look at this example. Starting from this outline in
tabbed text form:

77

The following mind map is generated automatically (either

from a desktop or from the web).

7.11 From Speech Recognition to mind maps

[100]
IM-T2MM can be used to generate mind maps from speech
recognition software. We are beginning to develop an interface
that will allow disabled people or anyone, to create mind maps
with their voice only. This will mean increasing the productivity
in the creation of mind maps and allowing impaired persons to
express complex information in a very easy and powerful way.

78

7.12 From BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) to

mind maps
Affordable BCI systems [101] have opened the door to the
possibility of creating a brain to mind map software product.
Healthy people will increase their productivity and will be able
to create mind maps without having to use keyboards, fingers or
voice. This would be, for example, a perfect way to take notes.
For disabled people this will allow them to create very complex
information structures with only their mind.

Emotiv EPOC [102], is a high resolution, multi-channel, wireless neuroheadset. It uses

a set of 14 sensors plus 2 references to tune into electric signals produced by the
brain to detect the users thoughts, feelings and expressions in real time. The EPOC
connects wirelessly to PCs running Windows, Linux, or MAC OS X.

This is the type of hardware that will allow the development

of software able to create mind maps by only using the mind.

7.13 Big Data visualization

In medicine, more and more information is available in the
form of very large data sets. Volume is not the only problem;
complexity is also involved.
The main sources of Big Data in medicine are:
Structured medical records

79

 U
 nstructured transcribed dictations from physicians
Genomic data
Imaging data
The combination of analytic tools, like Hadoop or R, and mind
mapping automation software can be an interesting way of
extracting and visualizing information from Big Data.
Potential benefits of Big Data analysis in medicine:

 ccess to personalized medicine

A
Help in early detection of diseases
Track patients more closely
Creation of better simulation models
Savings in Healthcare
Early evaluation of risks
Evidence-based medicine
Big databases could replace clinical trials, at least in some
cases

In the following example, we have used R and mind mapping

to study Medicares payments to providers. [103]

Mind map generated from the Big Open Data Medicare case [104]

80

Provider utilization and payment data

Chart of Medicare payments by entity code

7.14 Pre-operative instructions

Pre-operative procedures are created in order to improve the
outcome of the surgery, and decrease the risk of complications.
The information can be complex, and the use of mind mapping
makes it easier to follow the instructions. The mind map can
contain general and specific instructions. The patient receives
them by email and can visualize them on her smartphone or
tablet.

Information from bidmc.org [105]

In this example, information is very generic. In a real case,

information would be adapted to patient, surgical procedure
and hospital.

7.15 Discharge instructions for patients

To avoid problems like medication errors, discharge
instructions should be as clear as possible and very easy to access
by patients. With a reasonably good IT department, hospitals

81

should be ready to generate automatically mind maps with all

needed discharge instructions. The mind map can be sent by
email as an attachment. The mind map can be visualized by the
patient using a desktop PC, a tablet or a smarphone. If none of
these devices is available to the patient, the mind map can also
be printed.

The mind map can include all contact information needed in

case of any emergency, phone or web site.
The mind map can include PDF attachments for prescriptions
or any type of document. In a single compressed file, the patient
will have the mind map and all necessary attachments. This is a
very convenient way of having the information in the smartphone.

7.16 Data base Documentation

Many times, data bases are not well documented. This is a
very serious problem when trying to extend or upgrade software.
Mind mapping automation is very useful when documenting
data bases [106]. Mind maps can be of a lot of help when end
users have to collaborate with IT professionals in the design of
new systems or when upgrading existing ones.

82

Overview of the documentation of a sample data base

Detail of a table of the data base

83

7.17 Integration of Google Search results

Mind Manager has a feature to integrate in mind maps the
results of Google searchs. You can enter the text to search and
the number of results to integrate.
This is an example of a search done from Mind Manager using
the text Differential Diagnosis.

The resulting topics include hypelinks.

Hyperlink to the Isabel diagnostic system [107].

7.18 Medicine labels as mind maps

84

An idea for the future is the use of mind mapping to complement

paper medicine labels. Mind mapping automation allows the
creation of medicine labels in the form of mind maps [108].
The source of the information will be the FDA Structured Product
Labeling (SPL) [109].

Overview.

Product overview.

Indications and usage.

85

7.19 Drug interactions

Drugs can interact with other drugs, food, alcohol, herbs.
Mind mapping is a very useful tool to visualize such complex
interactions. Due to the huge volume of information, the
creation of mind maps by automation is a must [110]. In this
case, the source of the information has been the websites Drugs.
com [111] and MedlinePlus [112].

Overview of the interactions of Aspirin

Detail of the interactions of Aspirin

86

8. History Of Mind
Mapping Techniques

8.1 Porphyry of Tyre (234305 A.D.) [113]

Porphyry was a disciple of Plotinus. Porphyry suggests the
Porphyrian tree in his Introduction to Aristotles Categories.
Porphyry presented them in a tree-like diagram of dichotomous
divisions, which indicate that a species is defined by a genus
and a differentia. This logical process continues until the lowest
species is reached. There are no illustrations in the editions of his
original work.

Eventually diagrams were made and became associated with the scheme proposed by Porphyry [114]

87

Porphyrian Tree created with mind mapping software.

As we can see, the first application of mind mapping was

created in order to analyze complex information. The ancient
Greeks did not have any equivalent to our modern system of
punctuation;
they
used ono
spaces
between
oranalyze
paragraphs
As we can see, the first
application
f Mind
Mapping
was created words
in order to
complex
information.
ancient used
Greeks dcapitals,
id not have any
equivalent
our m
odern system of to

and
theyThe only
and
had to no
equivalent
our
punctuation,
they
used no sIn
paces
between
words or paragraphs
nd they only used capitals,
lower
case
letters.
these
conditions,
it is aunderstandable
that
and had no equivalent to our lower case letters. In these conditions, it is understandable that
Porphyry
decided
findand
a csolution
created mind mapping.
Porphyry decided
to find a to
solution
reated Mind and
Mapping.
This is a fragment of an edulcorated version of the problem
This is a fragment of an edulcorated version of the problem faced by students of Aristotles
faced
by students of Aristotles ideas:
ideas,










In medieval education, the standard introduction to Aristotle's works was via Porphyry's
Isagoge
[39].
In medieval
education, the standard introduction to Aristotles

works
was via Porphyrys Isagoge [115].
Centuries later, Linnaeus's system of static and discrete species was simply the result of filling
Centuries
Linnaeuss
system
of static and discrete species
in the abstract tree later,
with the
names of actual
species [40].
was simply the result of filling in the abstract tree with the names

of
actual species [116].

88

5.2 The Great Stemma (4th or 5th century) [41,42]

The Great Stemma is a genealogy of Christ since Adam and Eve. It is an example of
visualization of a large amount of simple information without great complexity. This is
another of the many possible uses of Mind Mapping.

8.2 The Great Stemma (4th or 5th century) [117,118]

The Great Stemma is a genealogy of Christ since Adam and
Eve. It is an example of visualization of a large amount of simple
information without great complexity. This is another of the
many possible uses of mind mapping.

Reconstruction of the original Great Stemma [117].

The Great Stemma was initially a unified chronological chart

which originally occupied a large, single roll and was later reedited in codex form. The author used 540 persons to visualize
biblical history from the Creation to the Incarnation.

Fragment of The Great Stemma (Noahs family) [118]

In the 7th century, Isidore of Seville [119] explains that family

charts were used by Roman lawyers. This is how genealogy was
done in the Middle Ages.
This is also the origin of the biblical genealogies that appear
in many 10th-century Spanish manuscripts of Beatus of Liebanas
commentary on the Apocalypse.

89

8.3 Boethius (AD 520) [120]

Boethius translated the works of Porphyry into Latin.
In his work In Isagogen Porphyrii Commentum, Boethius
shows a reconstruction of the Arbor Porphyriana. In fact, he was
the first to draw the diagram, and he referred to it in the text
of his work. He used it to clarify the meaning of the text to his
students.
There is a clear use of mind mapping to clarify a complex
relationship. We have just a few items of information, but they
are very difficult to understand unless visual tools are used.

Arbor Porphyriana [121] by Boethius

90

8.4 Cassiodorus [122]. Institutiones [123]. (AD 562)

Cassiodorus uses many Stemmata in his Institutiones. The
object of his work was to provide the monks with the means of
interpreting the Holy Scriptures.
As in the case of the Arbor Porphyriana, we find again the
use of mind mapping to understand complex information, that
would be very difficult to understand as linear text.

Diagram illustrating the subdivision of philosophy into the seven liberal arts, i.e. grammar, rhetoric and
dialectic, and arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music. [124]

In the above picture, we can see the interesting use of color

for the first time in a mind map.

8.5 Codex Amiatinus (AD 692) [125,126]

The Codex Amiatinus is the earliest surviving manuscript of
the Bible in the Latin Vulgate version. It seems to be a copy of the
original text of Saint Jerome. Produced in Northumbria, it was

91

carried to Rome by Ceolfrith as a gift to Pope Gregory II in 716.

It was lost but reappeared in the monastery of San Salvatore at
Mount Amiata (whence Amiatinus) near Siena. It is now kept at
Florence in the Bibliotheca Laurentiana.
The Codex Amiatinus contains several images that very clearly
remind of mind mapping.
The work contains just a few diagrams.

Reproduction of an image of the Codex Amiatinus

92

8.6 Beatus of Libana (AD 776) [127]

It survives in at least 35 manuscripts (usually called a beatus).

Commentarius in Apocalypsin - Codex of Fernando I and Doa Sancha. [128]

This picture of the Beatus shows a reproduction of a part of

the Great Stemma, Abrahams family tree.
8.6.1 Codices Boethiani (11th century)
Codices Boethiani is a catalogue of all the Latin manuscripts
of the works of Boethius, including his translations of Aristotle
and Porphyry.
This codex [129] is a copy of Aristotles Categoriae and De
interpretatione in Latin, followed by the respective commentaries
of Boethius on each of the Aristotelian texts.

93

Reproduction of an image of the codex

This is the first recorded use of an icon inside a topic in a mind

map. In this case, to describe the basic geometric figures.
At the end of this codex we can find a series four mind maps
(pages 340-344) clarifying the content with schemata of the ten
categories. The example corresponds to Quantitas (Quantity).
Quantity is either discrete or continuous. Moreover, some
quantities are such that each part of the whole has a relative
position to the other parts: others have within them no such
relation of part to part. Instances of discrete quantities are
number (Numerus) and speech (Oratio); of continuous, lines
(Linea), surfaces (superficies), solids (Solidus corpus), and, besides
these, time (Tempus) and place (Locus).

94

8.6.2 Alfonso X the Wise (1283) [130]

Image depicting the effect of various stars or constellations in
concert with Gemini.
It can be found in an astrology textbook attributed to Alfonso X
the Wise.

Paranatellonta (Greek term for constellations co-rising with zodiacal signs)

95

8.7 Ramon Llull (1232 1315) [131]

In his Tree of Science, Llull wrote an encyclopedia structured
according to an arboreal symbolism. The book includes several
different trees. The first tree is the Arbor Scientiae.

Arbor Scientiae [132]

The tree comprises eighteen roots, which relate to nine

transcendent principles and nine art principles: difference,
concord, contrariety, beginning, middle, end, majority, equality,
and minority. The top of the tree is made of sixteen branches,
each bearing a fruit and a label, representing the different
domains of science, which are then depicted as individual trees
in the remaining pages of the work.
Here we find mind mapping used to represent simple
information in two levels, a main mind map and several submaps.

96

8.8 Wheels of urine. [133]

The wheels of urine described the possible colors, smells and
tastes of urine, and used them to diagnose. It is the first evidence
of a clear use of mind mapping in medicine.
The first example of urine wheel appeared around 1420 [134]

Epiphanie Medicorum (1506) [135]

The Epiphanie Medicorum was a diagnostic treatise for the

use of physicians, divided into three sections treating uroscopy,
analysis of the pulse and the various types of fever. It was written
by Ulrich Pinder, physician to the city of Nuremberg. At least
eleven editions of this work were published between 1505 and
1513.

97

The folding almanac is another form of the wheel.

Harley 5311. Physicians folding almanac (1406) [136]

8.9 Latin manuscript, probably Heidelberg

(2nd half of 15th century)
A chart of the relationships between gods, demi-gods and
angels. This is a very clear use of mind mapping.
Manuscript.Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana. [137]

8.10 Luca Pacioli [138] and Leonardo da Vinci

[139] (1509)
This is a drawing of the Tree of Proportions and
Proportionality in Paciolis book De Divina Proportione. It
was inspired from the Study of Proportions by Nicomachus in
his Arithmetic. Leonardo da Vinci himself drew the geometrical
illustrations for the manuscript.

98

Tree of Proportions. [140]

8.11 Novak. Concept maps. (1960s) [141]

Concept maps are graphical tools for organizing and
representing knowledge. They include concepts, usually enclosed
in circles or boxes of some type, and relationships between
concepts indicated by a connecting line linking two concepts.
In the 1970s, Novak and his team at Cornell University
developed the technique of concept mapping as a means of
representing knowledge. The origin was a learning movement
called constructivism [142].

Concept map created with mind mapping software.

In the example, we show a concept map with information

about Gourmand Syndrome [143].

99

8.12 Simmons, Ross and Quinlan. Semantic

Networks (1963) [144-146]
A semantic network is a graphic notation for representing
knowledge in patterns of interconnected nodes and arcs. They
were first implemented on computers for artificial intelligence
and machine translation.
Semantic networks helped in the development of modern
mind mapping.

8.13 Tony Buzan (1974) [147]

He was the author of the first mind mapping book. He
popularized mind mapping in the 1970s.
Buzan defined a series of rules for the creation of a mind map:
[148]
1. Start in the centre with an image of the topic, using at least
3 colours.
2. 
Use images, symbols, codes and dimensions throughout
your mind map.
3. Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
4. Each word/image must be alone and sitting on its own line.
5. The lines must be connected, starting from the central image.
The central lines are thicker, organic and flowing, becoming
thinner as they radiate out from the centre.
6. Make the lines the same length as the word/image.
7. Use colours your own code throughout the mind map.
8. Develop your own personal style of mind mapping.
9. Use emphasis and show associations in your mind map.
10. Keep the mind map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical
order or outlines to embrace your branches.

100

Mind map created with Buzans iMindMap software (but not following strictly his rules about how to
build a mind map). The mind map describes the Foreign Accent Syndrome.

Some of these rules make the use of mind mapping very

complicated in professional environments.
U
 sing 3 or more colors should be optional.
Using only keywords makes it very difficult to express complex
ideas or knowledge.
It is often very complicated to find the right keyword when
you are simply taking notes. Finding the right keyword usually
involves analyzing the information for some time. Another
problem of keywords is that, sometimes, not even the creator can
exactly remember what it means. Avoid using keywords when
you share a mind map with other people. Instead of keywords,
try to use short phrases.
Using thicker and organic lines should be an option.
BOX 8.1
The use of the rule about keywords in the topics of a mind
map should be restricted to the case when the only purpose
is to memorize information and you have the time to find the
right keyword for concepts or ideas.
After years of practice, one discovers that these rules are
limitations to the possibilities of mind mapping in professional
environments. These rules are not absolute laws.

101

8.14 Jamie Nast. Idea Mapping. (2006) [149,150]

Jamie is a mind mapping expert who has trained thousands of
students. In her book Idea Mapping she used this title because
over years of experience she and her clients found that the
traditional laws of mind mapping were restrictive and ineffective
at times. With fewer restrictions, better results could be achieved.

Example of an idea map for Clinical Trials

The above example was created when preparing an idea

mapping Workshop taught by Jamie to personnel of PRA
International, that is a global CRO (Clinical Research Organization).
The idea map outlines the high-level process that PRA goes
through to get a new drug approved by the FDA.
After that workshop, maps continue to be successfully used in
a wide variety of applications across the organization.

102

9. Mind Mapping
Software
COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE (with Academic version)
Product

Ref.

Desktop
Windows

Desktop
Mac

Mobile

iPad

Web

Mind
Manager

[37]

iMindQ

[151]

MIND
MAP

[152]

XMIND

[153]

MindView

[154]

Mind
Meister

[155]

iMind
Map

[156]

Visual
Mind

[157]

My
Thoughts

[158]

Nova
Mind

[159]

Mind
Mapper

[160]

Mind
Genius

[161]

103

FREE SOFTWARE

104

Product

Ref.

Desktop
Windows

Linux

Mobile

iPad

Web

Freemind

[162]

Freeplane [163]

Coggle

[164]

10. Medical Mind

Mapping Web Sites
These are some of the best web sites dedicated to mind
mapping in medicine.
Description

WWW

Medical professions use of

mind mapping

http://www.informationtamers.com/WikIT/
index.php?title=Medical_profession%27s_
use_of_mind_mapping

Biggerplate medicine
mindmaps

http://www.biggerplate.com/groups/viewgroup.aspx?groupid=122

Medical mind maps

http://medicalmindmaps.com/

Medical MindMaps for USLME http://imindmaps.blogspot.com.es/

ICU mind maps

http://lifeinthefastlane.com/exams/cicmfellowship/icu-mind-maps/

Medical mind maps

http://medicalmaps.blogspot.com.es/

Med Maps

http://www.medmaps.co.uk/beta/

Mind map Diagrams in Allergy http://allergycases.blogspot.com.

and Immunology
es/2006/01/mind-maps-in-allergy-andimmunology.html
MedicAll Maps

http://www.medicallmaps.com/

Visual Medical Dictionary

http://www.curehunter.com/public/
dictionary.do

105

The most interesting generic web sites about mind mapping.

106

Description

WWW

The mind mapping software blog

http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/

Idea mapping

http://ideamappingsuccess.com/

Mind mapping.org

http://www.mind-mapping.org/

Biggerplate

http://www.biggerplate.com/

Concise Learning Blog

http://conciselearning.tumblr.com/

The mind map Hub

http://www.mindmaphub.com/

Mind map Inspiration

http://www.mindmapinspiration.com/

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INTRODUCTION
a concise introduction to the possible applications of mind mapping
in the field of Health Sciences?
to understand the possibilities of mind mapping automation?
more information on the scientific evidence supporting mind
mapping?
to have a clear-cut opinion about the quality of a mind mapping
article or book you are reading?
If your answer to any of the above questions is yes, then this book is
for you. It is a simple introduction to the field of mind mapping, and it
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beginning to be explored.
It does not presuppose any previous knowledge of mind mapping and
can be used by nurses, administrative and IT personnel, doctors,
researchers and administrators of hospitals and clinics. In a nutshell,
its for anyone in health-related fields.

ISBN: 978-1502580245

INTRODUCTION TO THE APPLICATIONS OF MIND MAPPING

to understand mind mapping?

In Medicine

Do you want

TO THE APPLICATIONS

OF

In Medicine

Jos M. Guerrero
Pilar Ramos
Published by:
Internet Medical Publishing
Find more titles on our site: www.imed.pub