New and complex trends in the health arena are influencing the development of new models of health professional education in Australia and overseas, particularly in rural health. Collaboration between health professionals is essential in meeting the demands of both health consumers and the political agenda. Inter-professional practice (IPP) and inter- professional education (IPE) are gaining in popularity. IPE promotes effective teamwork and collaboration within rural health services and rural health education. Despite recognition of this there are limited opportunities for students from different disciplines to work together, compounded by the fact that there is little evidence of its ability to influence sustained improvement in rural health service provision. Part of the complexity in developing this evidence base derives from the dual demands on IPE to be both an effective educational framework that positively influences student learning and to be a vehicle to enhance the health outcomes of the recipients of care provided by health professionals. Kirkpatrick’s hierarchical levels of evaluation offer an effective framework from which IPE can be planned, implemented and evaluated.

Keywords: inter-professional education, evidence-based practice, rural health