Teaching for transfer of learning in health professions education: AMEE Guide No. 176

Transfer of learning occurs when past learning is applied to new situations, and also at a varying time from the initial time of learning. Importantly, research in both academic and clinical areas of health professions education has highlighted that transfer of learning often does not successfully occur. Successful transfer is multi-dimensional and occurs when the learner has the required motivation, mental model, metacognitive processes relevant to the task, and the opportunity to transfer their learning to different situations. An essential aspect of successful transfer is the educator. This Guide provides an overview of an integrated model of transfer that can inform a variety of practical teaching strategies in both academic and clinical areas of health professions education.