Schwartz Rounds

A forum for staff & students from all health/social care professions to come together to discuss the emotional care aspects of their work and training
Schwartz Rounds

What are Schwartz Rounds?

A forum for staff and students from all health and social care professions to come together to discuss the emotional care aspects of their work and training.

Any number of attendees meet for an hour to hear experiences of practice incidents or episodes of care from a panel of usually 3-4 students and/or staff, share reflections on the emotional impact and give immediate feedback. Two trained facilitators co-ordinate the hour-long Round. Refreshments are always provided the half hour before the Round, to value participants and encourage open sharing. 

Schwartz Center Rounds began in the USA as a result of the experiences of Kenneth Schwartz after his diagnosis of terminal lung cancer, when “small acts of kindness made the unbearable bearable”.

The UK branch of the charity with whom we have a contract is the Point of Care Foundation.

Why is the University of Plymouth running Rounds?

Research shows that acknowledging the emotional aspects of providing care for others is helpful when done in a supportive and safe environment. We believe that the experience of Rounds will promote an attitude of reflective practice and help break down boundaries – setting the scene for future professional practice and lifelong learning. 

'Small Schwartz Rounds’ have been running at the University of Plymouth since January 2017. These started in the Faculty of Health and Human Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry – now the newly merged Faculty of Health. They also now incorporate the Plymouth Institute of Education and the School of Law,Criminology and Government as well as Speech and Language Therapy from Plymouth Marjon University.

Rounds in academic year 2019/20

Tuesday 24 September: Refreshments 12:30 in KSPA, Cornwall Lecture Theatre. Round 13:00–14:00. Theme: 'Thriving, not just surviving'.

Tuesday 19 November: Refreshments in Fitzroy Building 208 12:30. Round 13:00–14:00 Fitzroy Building 208. Theme: First impressions'.

Tuesday 11 February: Refreshments 12:30 in FF22 at Peninsula Allied Health Centre (near Derriford Hospital). Round 13:00–14:00 in Lecture Theatre 1. Theme: 'Being vulnerable'.

Thursday 12 March: Refreshments 12:30 in BGB 411. Round 13:00–14:00 in BGB 411. Theme: 'Learning from failure'.

Tuesday 28 April: This will take place via Zoom from 13:00–14:00; a link will be circulated to staff and students via internal email. Theme: 'Touched by emotional trauma'.

Tuesday 23 June: This will take place via Zoom from 13:00–14:30; a link will be circulated to staff and students via internal email. Theme: 'Being vulnerable'.

Our University of Plymouth Schwartz Rounds were the subject of student clinical psychologist Dominique Clancy's PhD, and can be found on the following link: DOI: 10.1080/13561820.2019.1692797

Schwartz Panel at KSPA Truro, 24 September 2019

You are also encouraged to attend Schwartz Rounds which run in many of our local Trusts, including:

  • Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
  • Devon Partnership NHS Trust
  • North Devon Healthcare Trust
  • Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
  • South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  • Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
  • Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
  • University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
  • Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Watch a demonstration Schwartz Round at St Joseph's Hospice. Supported by The Point of Care Foundation.

Who can attend?

  • All health and social care students and staff.
  • Other professions or programmes which may share a common interest in exploring the emotional and psycho-social aspects of working with people.
  • No booking needed – first come, first served.
  • Volunteer as a panelist or just come and share the experience as part of the audience.


Feedback

“I really valued the openness and honesty of Schwartz panelists when sharing their stories. It made me reflect on my own placement experiences when I have felt silent/invisible due to/around other members of staff.”

“…It was powerful, heartfelt, and helps break through boundaries and barriers.”

“I wasn’t expecting to benefit as much as I did…I will return to my placement with more confidence that my feelings are normal and I’m not a fraud.”

Want to know more?

If you want to know more about Schwartz Rounds or join as a panelist then contact either a member of the Steering Group or a student champion.

Steering Group Representatives


Student Champions

Useful documentation