Schwartz Rounds – The emotional debrief with Aggie Rice

In this session I am speaking with Aggie Rice on the concept and tool of Schwartz rounds and her journey of implementation within the NHS. Schwartz rounds can be described as a structured forum where all staff, clinical and non-clinical, come together regularly to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare. In the session we wanted to explore the purpose of Schwartz Rounds and some of the potential benefits to staff that participant in them. We also wanted to look at the evidence and staff feedback as to their utility and ability to flatten the hierarchies of management within an organisation. The underlying premise for Rounds is that the compassion shown by staff can make all the difference to a patient care, but also in turn, make staff feel supported in their work. We want to dig into this principle and get the thoughts from Aggie who is implementing them at a local and national level.

Aggie Rice is a mentor and trainer on the Schwartz Rounds and Team Time programmes. After working for the Point of Care Foundation for a few years as an Associate, Aggie joined the Foundation in this full-time role in 2021. Aggie has worked on the Schwartz Round programmes since 2016 and has a keen interest in organisational culture, storytelling and the emotional wellbeing of health and social care staff. 

In the episode we cover: 

1.  Why Schwartz rounds are important in the contemporary healthcare climate. 

2.  The power of narrative and the anatomy of the Schwartz round

4.  The principle of psychological safety

5.  Whether they can be used as a surrogate for counselling 

6.  Opening up and flattened hierarchy

8.  Adoption and rate limiting steps/barriers to participation

9.  Progress within the Ambulance Service versus other healthcare settings

10.Take home messages

You can learn more about Schwartz Rounds here:

https://www.pointofcarefoundation.org.uk/our-programmes/staff-experience/

You can learn more about Aggie Rice here:

https://www.pointofcarefoundation.org.uk/about-us/people/aggie-rice/

I hope you enjoy this episode with an insightful and engaging guest.