title: Support for compassionate care: Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of Schwartz Center Rounds in an acute general hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of Schwartz Center Rounds, a multi-disciplinary forum to reflect on the emotional consequences of working in healthcare, on the staff of a large acute general hospital over a three-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation data following each Round were collected routinely from all staff attending over this period and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  An integrated university teaching trust with both acute hospital and community services in the North East of England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over the three-year period of the study, 795 participant evaluation forms were returned by staff attending the Rounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  A standard evaluation form completed at the end of each Round by those present, including ratings on a five-point scale against each of eight statements and an opportunity to offer additional free text comments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings show a very positive response to all aspects of the Rounds by staff who attended. The most highly rated statement was: 'I have gained insight into how others think/feel in caring for patients'. This was reinforced by the qualitative analysis in which the primary theme was found to beInsight.There were no significant differences between disciplines/staff groups, indicating that all staff whether clinical or non-clinical responded to the Rounds equally positively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Schwartz Rounds are highly valued by staff from all disciplines, and by managers and other non-clinicians as well as clinicians. They appear to have the potential to increase understanding between different staff, and so to reduce isolation and provide support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
authors.forename: Raymond J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Chadwick
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Muncer
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Bronagh C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Hannon
authors.affiliation: The Point of Care Foundation, London, UK.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goodrich
authors.affiliation: The Point of Care Foundation, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cornwell
keywords: compassion; empathy