Schwartz rounds

The Schwartz Rounds program, established in 1995 by the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare in honour of Kenneth Schwartz, offers a unique forum for healthcare professionals to discuss the psychosocial and emotional challenges of their work.

What are Schwartz Rounds?

Schwartz Rounds are structured forums where students and workers come together to reflect on the emotional and social aspects of learning and working in health services. These sessions focus on the human side of working in healthcare.

Each session begins with a brief presentation of a real-life scenario by students or healthcare workers, followed by an open discussion facilitated by trained facilitators. This safe and confidential environment allows participants to share experiences, connect with peers and colleagues, and gain valuable insights.

Why are Schwartz Rounds so valuable?

Evidence tells us that students and healthcare workers experience improved well-being and enhanced coping abilities by attending. Holding Schwartz Rounds, we aim to:

• Foster empathy and understanding: Sharing stories helps appreciate each other's challenges and perspectives, deepening mutual respect.
• Build resilience: Discussing emotional experiences can reduce stress and help those learning and working in healthcare feel supported.
• Strengthen teamwork: Open dialogue enhances communication and creates a more cohesive culture.
• Encourage reflection: These sessions remind us of our roles' impact on others and ourselves.

Schwartz Rounds are proven to improve wellbeing, reduce burnout, and boost morale by creating a space for meaningful conversations about the experiences we all share.