Use of Schwartz Centre Rounds in a UK hospice: Findings from a longitudinal evaluation

Schwartz Centre Rounds (R) aim to explore the human and emotional impact of everyday work by giving healthcare staff the opportunity to come together in a safe but open environment. We evaluated the experience of introducing Schwartz Centre Rounds in a UK hospice over 1-year using a mixed method approach. These rounds were reported as providing staff with a greater appreciation of the interprofessional approach. Individuals were more actively acknowledged by other colleagues as a result of contributions at rounds with an appreciation of a wider team, spanning the whole organisation. This appeared to relieve feelings of isolation and enhance a sense of shared purpose. Some staff chose not to attend but valued their contribution to the organisation without witnessing the emotional impact of hospice work. Our findings indicate that Schwartz Rounds offer staff the environment to explore the human element of their work and appear to improve interprofessional working.