Use of core concepts of physiology can facilitate student transfer of learning

Students often fail to utilize what they know about one topic (e.g., hemodynamics) when attempting to master another topic involving a similar phenomenon (e.g., airflow in airways). What accounts for this difficulty that students have? And how can students be assisted in doing a better job of applying what they already know to new topics? The phenomenon described above is an example of a failure of transfer of learning. However, much is known about the conditions that foster or promote transfer of learning. Applying this emerging knowledge and focusing on the core concepts of physiology can make learning physiology easier and provide students with tools to support lifelong learning.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Students often fail to utilize knowledge from prerequisite courses while learning physiology. They also fail to use what they know about one physiology topic when attempting to learn another topic. Much is known about the conditions that foster or promote transfer of learning. Applying this emerging knowledge and focusing on the core concepts of physiology can making learning physiology easier and provide students with tools to support lifelong learning.