Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Rounds confidential?
Yes, everyone who attends agrees that no names will be used and what is said during the hour is not attributed to individuals.
Q: Do we have to go through The Point of Care Foundation?
Yes, because we have a license with the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care in Boston, USA to run the Rounds in the UK. Part of that agreement is that Rounds will be run in a certain way.
Q: How long does it take to get them started?
Our experience suggests that it takes between three to six months to gain organisational support and secure funding required to run Rounds. It is important to have a core group of supporters who will lead on the introduction of Rounds from the outset.
Q: Do you have to have a senior clinician championing the Rounds?
It might be one of the ingredients for success and to ensure that clinicians (doctors and nurses) attend the Rounds along with colleagues from other professional backgrounds, but it is not necessary.
Q: Is it necessary for the Chief Executive and Board to support them?
No. It is not mandatory but we strongly encourage you to ensure that your Chief Executive or senior management team are supportive. At the organisations running Rounds, board members often attend, which helps to show organisational commitment.
Q: Should we invite volunteers?
It is up to individual organisations and their steering groups to decide whether or not to invite volunteers to the Rounds. Some organisations open up their Rounds to all volunteers, some limit the invitation to patient-facing volunteers and others have decided not to allow volunteers. The most important thing to consider is the safety of the Round and the ability for staff to feel confident about speaking openly to the group about their experiences.
Q: How long do Rounds normally go on running?
To keep Rounds going and for long term sustainability, you can renew your licence agreement every 2 years.
Q: Can we train more than two facilitators to run Rounds?
Yes, we offer facilitators training places according to the organisational needs. Please get in touch with us to have a conversation on your requirements.
Q: Do Rounds have to take place at lunchtime?
No. Although Rounds tend to work well at lunchtime, they can take place at any time of day, depending on what suits the organisation and facilitates the best possible attendance. Provision of catering is essential, whenever the Round takes place.
Q: Is there a minimum number of people required to run a Round?
There is no formal minimum and it will depend on the size of your organisation, but generally a Round will not be as effective unless there are at least ten participants in addition to the panel and discussion leaders.
Q: Are Rounds CPD accredited?
Schwartz Rounds have been accredited by CPD-UK, who give third party assurance that the Rounds meet CPD standards. It is up to individual staff members to identify the learning benefit, number of points and type of CPD activity, e.g. reflective practice.
CPDUK say: “The CPD Certification is widely recognised by professional institutes and organisations that require their members to enhance their professional skills on a continuous basis. There are over 350 professional institutes in the UK alone and they all have their own particular requirements. Ultimately, it is up to the individual attending a course to evaluate for themselves the learning benefit gained and to claim the appropriate credits/points from their professional institute or organisation. This may be in the form of structured or unstructured CPD activities.”
Q: Can patients attend Rounds?
Schwartz Rounds exist to provide a space for staff to come together regularly to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare. Some staff feel less comfortable discussing their emotions in front of patients.
One or two organisations have run a Round with a patient on the panel, but we would advise you to discuss any patient involvement with your mentor and steering group in advance to ensure that you have considered the advantages and any potential disadvantages.
Q: How much is it to train extra facilitators?
Standard training
The standard training is spread over two days. Day 1 takes place prior to facilitating Rounds and includes an introduction to Rounds, topic generation, panel preparation, facilitation skills and a live Round. Day 2 takes place after experience of facilitating at least three Rounds and includes ideas for sustainability, advanced facilitation skills, further panel preparation skills and a live Round.
The cost to train additional facilitators is £900 per person.