Posted on: 29 May 2019
The School of Nursing and Midwifery at Trinity College have presented the findings of their independent evaluation of the Health Service Executive’s ‘Schwartz Rounds’ system. The evaluation is the first of its kind in Ireland.
The overall aim of the evaluation was to establish whether Schwartz Rounds are fit for purpose in the Irish Health Service.
The report was presented to the HSE at an event in St Steevens Hospital where it was well received as a balanced report that provided key learnings for further roll-out of Schwartz Rounds nationally.
Schwartz Rounds are an intervention intended to develop compassionate and supportive cultures for staff working in health care settings, and in doing so, promote improvement in health care outcomes for patients and service users. Schwartz Rounds are a multidisciplinary forum designed for all staff to come together, once a month, to discuss and reflect on the non-clinical aspects of caring for patients and families through sharing of the emotional and social challenges associated with their work.
Findings indicate that the ethos of Schwartz Rounds is compatible with the HSE strategic drive for quality and safe health care.
Lead authors of the report, Drs Vivienne Brady and Margarita Corry from the School of Nursing and Midwifery carried out the review at two test sites; one palliative, inpatient and community care setting, and one acute and critical care service teaching hospital, with regional services.
They commented:
“The report has significant implications for roll out and implementation of Schwartz Rounds nationally. While specific challenges were evident for test of concept sites, positive aspects of Schwartz Rounds were reported by staff who participate in and embrace the concept. Our findings indicate that Schwartz Rounds enables a levelling effect by offering a forum to share experiences where staff at all levels are willing to be open and vulnerable with others. Areas consistently highlighted by respondents included gaining greater insight into self and others, the breaking down of barriers and levelling of hierarchical structure. This ultimately improved staff interaction and teamwork, and for some respondents, Schwartz Rounds impacted positively on participants’ own practice.”
” The importance of independent evaluation of healthcare interventions was demonstrated by this research, which uncovered areas of staff needs highlighted by Schwartz Rounds, but potentially not addressed by Rounds, where additional measures may be called for.”
The report was of particular interest to those who were in the early phase of roll out or were thinking about or planning to introduce the system in their organisations.
The full evaluation report can be found here
