Running Schwartz Rounds in challenging times
16 August 2022
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When I joined the Point of Care Foundation as Communities Coordinator in March 2022, I started connecting with the Schwartz Community to learn about what Schwartz Rounds are and how it feels to run and facilitate them. I’ve learnt a lot during my first months, but what resonated with me most on a personal and professional level was:
- People appreciate a space where they can talk about their experience and their emotions without a focus on problem solving.
- It is important to meet people where they are and not where you think they might be.
These two ‘wisdoms’ were very present for me during the process of organising the first of our 2022 Schwartz Community events.
As a team, we spent a lot of time brainstorming what we would like to do with the Schwartz Community, alongside talking to Schwartz colleagues across the country about their needs and experiences. Although initially we were prone to focusing on something tangible participants could take away from the event to help make Rounds more supportive and sustainable, we also felt it could be valuable to create a more reflective space where everyone could benefit in different ways.
With this in mind, we decided the focus of the events would be about allowing everyone to be more human, vulnerable and connected to one another. We thought this would be especially relevant for members working in complex systems, where running and sustaining Schwartz Rounds might be beneficial but, at the same time, challenging.
Schwartz Community events
During the events, we hosted and participated in two workshops exploring working with challenges and complexities in the healthcare system. The intentions of the sessions were to acknowledge the nature and impact of complexity in our work, and to consider how we can navigate and balance – rather than problem-solve – the human experience of uncertainty and ambiguity. Storytelling, particularly storytelling in Schwartz Rounds, offers space for this ambiguity and uncertainty and can support individuals and systems to become more human.
A short introduction to the topic of complexity aimed to plant a seed for discussions among Schwartz Community members. It was an opportunity for everyone not only to connect with like-minded Schwartz colleagues and listen to their experiences, but also to reflect on their own journey of running Rounds.
Our goal was to create a space where everyone felt connected and inspired. I can only hope that the experience allowed for something different, something which can help participants approach the challenges and complexities of working within the healthcare system in a more tender and kind way.
The feedback from the two events was extremely positive. One of the comments said, “Thank you for the warm space in a tough world,” which struck me with the feeling that the intended outcome of the space had been achieved. We are keen to continue holding more spaces like this in the future, as well as a series of practical drop-in workshops offering skill development and exploration of the different aspects – and challenges – of running Rounds.
I would like to thank everyone for their attendance and contributions, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible again soon.