Introducing compassion into the education of health care professionals; can Schwartz Rounds help?

ABSTRACT: Whilst health care professionals embark on their careers with high ideals these can be eroded by the pressures and stress of the system. This paper explores the problems, which may lead both students and professionals, working in health care, to feel isolated and stressed. It considers the value of Schwartz Rounds as an initiative that can be used to enhance student well-being and ultimately enable students to treat each other, colleagues and patients with more compassion. CASE DESCRIPTION: Qualitative and quantitative data from Schwartz Rounds conducted with medical students at University College London Medical School is drawn on to inform the discussion. DISCUSSION: Potential mechanisms at play in the Rounds are explored. Further research is needed to look at the cost benefits of Rounds in relation to possible benefits including reduced student attrition. Logistical challenges of running Rounds within and across different disciplines need further investigation. CONCLUSION: Early feedback suggests that the Rounds are well received by the students and a number of benefits reported relating to the normalising of emotions and creating channels for more open, transparent modes of communication.