THE ROLES
Organisations wishing to implement Schwartz Rounds need to sign a contract with the Point of Care Foundation in order to use the model . They should nominate a facilitator , a clinical lead and an administrator . The facilitator can be from any staff group but the clinical lead should be a senior veterinary professional . Both the facilitator and the clinical lead receive formal training . A steering group should also be organised , made up of people wishing to help promote Rounds . Contacting the Point of Care Foundation early in the process is advisable so the Schwartz Rounds team are guided and supported . Ideally , the people involved in Rounds should be empathetic and caring , good listeners and driven to provide support for their teams . Training is a mixture of face-to-face and online learning with practical application of the skills . team . This is to ensure that stories adhere to the model and to provide personal support for panellists , particularly if they are discussing difficult or emotive situations . It is the responsibility of the facilitators to provide a confidential safe space within the Round for this reflective work to be conducted . They do this by listening to the stories , drawing out themes and protecting panellists from examination by moderating responses from the audience members , making sure the boundaries of the model are protected .
Panellists prepare a story that can either be based on a case or explore a theme , such as ‘ a patient I ' ll never forget ’. It must be told from the perspective of the panel member and focus on the emotional impact . After hearing the panellists ' stories in the Schwartz Round , colleagues are invited to share their own reflections and discuss any aspects of the stories that particularly resonated . The discussion is tightly facilitated to encourage everyone to contribute from their own point of view . This ensures colleague safety when discussing difficult topics . Schwartz Rounds are a purely reflective space ; outcomes and solutions are not discussed .
After the Round , panellists are debriefed by the facilitators . Any difficulties experienced are discussed and appropriate signposting can take place . Facilitators are also on hand to discuss any difficult feelings with team members and provide support .
Attending a Schwartz Round is also a social experience , as there is time before and afterwards for speaking to colleagues individually or in small groups .
ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT
The organisation must ensure that there is support for Schwartz Rounds at all levels of seniority . This includes executives and directors or partners . They must be willing to undertake training and commit to regularly holding Rounds in the organisation .
RUNNING ROUNDS
Schwartz Rounds work best if they are advertised well in advance , so people know what to expect and team members ' time can be allocated for attendance . Depending on the size of the organisation , a few panellists are self-selected from the team to share a story about their working lives . Team members from all disciplines are encouraged to become a panellist . There are no skills needed , but they hold a significant role in the process , as their stories will be the basis of the Round .
The format for sharing the story can take panellists a little while to get used to but , by the time their story is discussed at a Schwartz Round , they will have undergone significant preparation by the facilitator
Training to set up and facilitate Schwartz Rounds can be undertaken by any team member who is a good listener and communicator , and is enthusiastic about providing support for colleagues . It is often better if they are not leaders and managers in the organisation but , as mentioned earlier , it is usual to have a clinical lead , in addition to the facilitator , who is a senior figurehead and supporter of Rounds . Support from the leaders and the wider organisation is essential for the Schwartz Rounds to be a success .
Rounds will need to be funded and prioritised , with dedicated time booked in the diary . It helps if leaders attend Rounds and encourage others to take part . It is highly likely , especially in small organisations due to the visibility of leaders , that if the most senior team members do not prioritise , support and attend Rounds , team members will feel unable to prioritise participation themselves .
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