Frequently Asked Questions
Are Rounds confidential?
Yes, everyone who attends agrees that no names will be used and that what is said during the hour is not attributed to individuals.
Do we have to go through The Point of Care Foundation?
Yes, because we have a license with the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care in Boston, USA to run the Rounds in the UK and Ireland. Part of that agreement is that Rounds will be run in a certain way.
How long does it take to get them started?
Our experience suggests that it takes between three to six months to gain organisational support and secure funding required to run Rounds. It is important to have a core group of supporters who will lead on the introduction of Rounds from the outset.
How big does my organisation have to be?
Your organisation can be any size, we have some smaller community hospices and large ICSs and other ogranisations in between. In our pricing scheme, the licence fee is based on organisation size.
Do you have to have a senior clinician championing the Rounds?
It might be one of the ingredients for success and to ensure that clinicians (doctors and nurses) attend the Rounds along with colleagues from other professional backgrounds, but it is not necessary.
Is it necessary for the Chief Executive and Board to support them?
No. It is not mandatory but we strongly encourage you to ensure that your Chief Executive or senior management team are supportive. At the organisation running Rounds, board members often attend, which helps to show organisational commitment.
Should we invite volunteers?
It is up to individual organisations and their steering groups to decide whether or not to invite volunteers to the Rounds. Some organisations open up their Rounds to all volunteers, some limit the invitation to patient-facing volunteers and others have decided not to allow volunteers. The most important thing to consider is the safety of the Round and the ability for staff to feel confident about speaking openly to the group about their experiences.
How long do Rounds normally go on running?
To keep Rounds going, and for long-term sustainability, you can renew your licence agreement every 2 years.
Does the Point of Care help train Schwartz facilitators?
Yes, the standard training for facilitators is spread over two days.
Day 1 takes place prior to facilitating Rounds and includes an introduction to Rounds, topic generation, panel preparation, facilitation skills and a live Round. Day 2 takes place after experience of facilitating at least three Rounds and includes ideas for sustainability, advanced facilitation skills, further panel preparation skills and a live Round.
Can we train more than two facilitators to run Rounds?
Yes, the Point of Care offers facilitators training places according to the organisational needs. Please get in touch with us to have a conversation on your requirements.
Please note that you can purchase additional facilitator training places at any point during your license, but these must be used during the term of your license.
Is there a minimum number of attendees required to run a Round?
There is no formal minimum and it will depend on the size of your organisation, but generally a Round will not be as effective unless there are at least ten participants in addition to the panel and discussion leaders.
Do Rounds have to take place at lunchtime?
No. Although Rounds tend to work well at lunchtime, they can take place at any time of day, depending on what suits the organisation and facilitates the best possible attendance. Provision of catering is essential, whenever the Round takes place.
Are Rounds CPD accredited?
Schwartz Rounds have been accredited by CPD-UK, who give third party assurance that the Rounds meet CPD standards. It is up to individual staff members to identify the learning benefit, number of points and type of CPD activity, e.g. reflective practice.
CPDUK say: “The CPD Certification is widely recognised by professional institutes and organisations that require their members to enhance their professional skills on a continuous basis. There are over 350 professional institutes in the UK alone and they all have their own particular requirements. Ultimately, it is up to the individual attending a course to evaluate for themselves the learning benefit gained and to claim the appropriate credits/points from their professional institute or organisation. This may be in the form of structured or unstructured CPD activities.”
Can patients attend Rounds?
Schwartz Rounds exist to provide a space for staff to come together regularly to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare. Some staff feel less comfortable discussing their emotions in front of patients.
One or two organisations have run a Round with a patient on the panel, but we would advise you to discuss any patient involvement with your mentor and steering group in advance to ensure that you have considered the advantages and any potential disadvantages.
Do you work with organisations outside the UK?
We are licenced to work with the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care in Boston (USA) to run the Rounds in the UK and Ireland. Anyone outside of the UK and Ireland wanting to find out more information can do so here: https://www.theschwartzcenter.org/
How do I become part of the Schwartz Community of Practice?
When you are a Schwartz Site within licence, anyone involved in running Rounds is welcome to join our Schwartz Community of Practice. You can register to join here. After registering, you will receive emails (with details on how to join specific meetings) close to the date of the event.
What types of organisations do the Point of Care work with?
We work with various health and social care organisations including NHS trusts, hospices, GP practices, City Councils, Higher Education Institutions, vets, and many more. Please get in touch if you would like to know if we can help your organisation begin your Schwartz Rounds journey.
You can find more information about Schwartz Rounds on our website here.