Rev. Priscilla H. Howick on an effective multidisciplinary forum

The Schwartz Center Rounds

Compassion fatigue, secondary post traumatic stress, moral distress, soul sadness, and empathic strain are all terms used to describe the soul weariness that can accompany working with people in crisis. How do healthcare providers deal with the continued stress and strain of caring for patients in our current complex medical environment? At Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, we have discovered a wonderful program that does just that – provides care for the clinical staffs who are on the front line of patient care. The Schwartz Center Rounds are a multidisciplinary forum where clinical caregivers can discuss their experiences, thoughts and feelings around specific healthcare topics. The intent is that caregivers will be better equipped to provide compassionate care for patients and better able to maintain their own sense of well-being by gaining insight into themselves, co-workers, and difficult situations.

The Kenneth B. Schwartz Center, whose mission is dedicated to promote compassionate care and strengthen the relationship between patients and caregivers, began the rounds at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston in 1997. Currently the rounds are offered in more than 100 sites. The rounds begin with a brief case presentation by 2-3 clinicians from different disciplines. The remainder of the hour is used for staff to discuss their own experiences related to the topic. A facilitator helps ensure the process stays on track. In addition, we are able to provide a healthy lunch (thanks to the support of The Schwartz Center) and continuing education credits.

The Schwartz Center Rounds came to Mayo Jacksonville through our Palliative Care Consultative Service in partnership with Chaplain Services. We have had nine rounds to date with 40 to 50 staff attending. We have discussed topics such as, “The Difficult Patient – The Difficult Family”; “Finding Closure When a Patient Dies”; “Putting Compassion to the Test: Chronic Patients and their Complex Issues"; and "Religion and Culture: When World Views Collide." The response from staff has been overwhelmingly positive. One staff said, “It’s very helpful to hear co-workers questions and feelings about the problem raised. I always learn a great deal from these discussions.”

One of the benefits of the rounds is improved communication among patients and caregivers. Improved communication can lead to an increase in patient satisfaction, a decrease in medical errors, and fewer medical malpractice suits. The rounds have also improved communication among team members, helping staff to remember the human dimensions of healthcare.

The Schwartz Center Rounds are an effective multidisciplinary forum that gives caregivers knowledge and understanding about the non-clinical aspects of patient care and explores the human dimension of healthcare that is so easily lost in our high-tech clinical settings. Most importantly, the staff feels supported and less isolated in dealing with difficult situations.

Further information about The Schwartz Center Rounds can be found at www.theschwartzcenter.org.

 

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