title: Formation and operation of a statewide commission on end-of-life care in Minnesota.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Innovative approaches to improving end-of-life care are needed. One strategy involves government/community partnerships to improve care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Engage health care provider and health care consumer communities in the State of Minnesota to improve end-of-life care.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Minnesota Commission on End of Life Care was formed to make recommendations that would be used by public and private policy makers to improve care in the state.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An innovative selection process brought together a broad group of people to identify, prioritize, and make recommendations regarding end-of-life care in the state. Carefully selected leadership, good planning, and organization ensured a successful process that kept all appointed commission members engaged throughout the 18-month project. Using a consensus process, the Commission endorsed a framework for end-of-life care and made specific recommendations for improving access, education and public policy. This paper describes the process of developing and implementing the Commission, the challenges, successes, and lessons learned.
authors.affiliation: Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. Linda.Norlander@health.state.mn.us
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Norlander
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ratner
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000368:Aged; D032921:Consensus; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006288:Health Planning Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006292:Health Priorities; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008910:Minnesota; D016730:Program Development; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013219:State Government; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States