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.