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

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.
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.
Tuesday 22 September: This will take place via Zoom from 13:00–14:30; a link will be circulated to staff and students via internal email. Theme: 'New experiences'.
Wednesday 21 October: This will take place via Zoom from 13:00–14:30; a link will be circulated to staff and students via internal email. Theme: 'Courage in the workplace'.
Wednesday 18 November: This will take place via Zoom from 13:00–14:30; a link will be circulated to staff and students via internal email. Theme: 'Positivity in the workplace'.
Wednesday 13 January: This will take place via Zoom from 13:00–14:30; a link will be circulated to staff and students via internal email. Theme: 'New opportunities'
Wednesday 10 March: This will take place via Zoom from 13:00–14:30; a link will be circulated to staff and students via internal email. Theme: 'Coping with COVID'
Wednesday 28 April: This will take place via Zoom from 13:00–14:30; a link will be circulated to staff and students via internal email. Theme: 'Shared care'
Wednesday 16 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:
'Hidden abilities'
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
You are also encouraged to attend Schwartz Rounds which run in many of our local Trusts, including:
Watch a demonstration Schwartz Round at St Joseph's Hospice. Supported by The Point of Care Foundation.
“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.”
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.