New research reports that attending Schwartz Rounds reduces psychological distress
27 October 2017
The Point of Care Foundation welcomes the publication of a national report on the implementation of Schwartz Rounds which shows that staff who attend the Rounds feel less stressed and better able to communicate with colleagues and be compassionate with patients.
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The Point of Care Foundation welcomes the publication of a national report on the implementation of Schwartz Rounds which shows that staff who attend the Rounds feel less stressed and better able to communicate with colleagues and be compassionate with patients.
Professor Jill Maben, from the University of Surrey, and her team have shown that the number of staff reporting psychological distress halved in those who regularly attended Rounds, compared to little change in those that did not attend Rounds.
Commenting on the publication, Jocelyn Cornwell, Chief Executive of The Point of Care Foundation, said:
“We are delighted the report shows that Schwartz Rounds have significant positive impacts on the wellbeing and the experience of the staff who take part in them. The Rounds offer a unique space for all staff in organisations to come together as equals, to share experience and listen to one another.
“In environments in which staff are under tremendous pressure, the Rounds offer a much–needed space for reflection and renewal. We hope that organisations that are not doing Rounds will pay attention to the research findings, and organisations that are doing them, will re-double their efforts to sustain them.”
Sir Robert Francis, one of The Point of Care Foundation’s trustees, said:
“Schwartz Rounds can be transformative of a healthcare organisation’s culture. They bring teams together, improve morale and self-esteem, and foster openness. The fact that Rounds are already running in 177 organisations shows how valuable they are to hard-working and committed staff across the UK and Ireland. It is gratifying to see such a thorough independent study confirming that Rounds make a significant contribution to supporting NHS staff, particularly at a time when the service is under such huge pressure.”
Dr Sean Elyan, Medical Director at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (the first trust to run Rounds in the UK) said:
“Schwartz Rounds have been a key part of creating an open and compassionate culture. By creating protected time and space for staff to share their challenges, an organisation can show that it truly values the contribution that those staff, both clinical and non-clinical, make to their patients’ lives on a daily basis.”
Notes to editors:
- The Point of Care Foundation holds the licence to train and support organisations in the UK and Ireland to run Schwartz Rounds
- Schwartz Rounds are voluntary, structured, monthly one-hour meetings open to all of the staff within an organisation.
- The purpose is to reflect on the experience of working in healthcare, rather than to solve problems or look for outcomes.
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust were the two trusts who participated in the original UK pilot. Both continue to run Rounds eight years later
- Schwartz Rounds are running in a number of different settings, including acute NHS trusts; community and mental health NHS trusts; ambulance trusts; CCGs and GP federations; hospices; medical schools and other multi-professional healthcare education institutes; and prisons
- Full list of organisations running Rounds
About The Point of Care Foundation:
- The Point of Care Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to improving patients’ experience of care and increasing support for the staff who work with them.
- We provide evidence and resources to support health and care staff in the difficult work of caring for patients.
- We believe a truly patient-centred approach – focused on listening, understanding and responding to the needs of the whole individual – is essential to the delivery of the best possible quality of care.
- For further information about our work please visit our website, pointofcarefoundation.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @PointofCareFdn.
- For media enquiries contact Patrick Cullen, communications manager on: 020 3841 5578 or at patrickcullen@pointofcarefoundation.org.uk. Out of hours on 07969 991 720.