Gwen M. Willems, BA, MA, PhD Cand, Minnesota Department of Health, University of Minnesota, 85 East Seventh Place, Suite 400, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882, 651-646-8854, wille002@umn.edu, Nancy Blume, RN, PHN, MPH, Division of Family Health, Minnesota Department of Health, 85 East Seventh Place, Suite 400, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882, and Cheryl E. Smoot, RN, PHN, MPH, Child Health/School Health Consultant, Minnesota Department of Health, PO Box 64882, St Paul, MN 55164-0882.

Following legislative direction to study and make recommendations for healthy and safe administration of medications in schools, the Minnesota Department of Health is leading a set of activities to inform development of statewide standards and guidelines. A major component is the review of a broad base of literature by panels of multidisciplinary experts who each independently rate the material for its merit and application to medication administration in schools and also compare and debate ratings in panel discussions. This structured analysis and discussion process fulfills several purposes. It creates a comprehensive rated information base; elicits Minnesotans’ choices of important concepts for consideration in developing policy; and educates, involves, and gives project ownership to a wide range of participants. This presentation focuses on key concepts resulting from the expert panel reviews, how key concepts varied between major constituent groups, and the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing a multidisciplinary process.

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