Utility of Schwartz Center Rounds in fostering compassion, communication, teamwork, and caregiver support
e20640 Background: Schwartz Center Rounds are a multidisciplinary forum where clinicians discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients with the goal of improving the patient-caregiver relationship. Rounds were initiated at the MGH Cancer Center in 1997 and have since grown to include 165 sites including 24 cancer centers nationwide. We report on a recent evaluation of the impact of Rounds. Methods: The Schwartz Center Rounds evaluation focused on three major research questions: 1) Do professional caregivers have increased insight into the non-clinical aspects of care after attendance at Rounds? 2) Is there increased teamwork among caregivers after attendance? 3) Do caregivers perceive increased support after attendance at Rounds? The evaluation included a retrospective survey of 256 caregivers at six sites where Rounds had existed for ≥ 3 years; 44 semi-structured interviews with participants at these sites; and pre/post surveys of 222 caregivers from ten hospitals newly implementing Rounds. Results: The highest percentage of attendees were nurses (35%), followed by physicians (23%), social workers (15%), psychologists (4%), physical therapists (6%) and clergy (5%). After attending Rounds, participants reported increased insight into psychosocial aspects of care; enhanced compassion; increased ability to respond to patients’ social and emotional issues; enhanced communication amongst caregivers; greater appreciation of colleagues’ roles and contributions. Attendees reported decreased feelings of stress and isolation and a greater sense of teamwork. Participants reported that Rounds discussions led to changes in institutional practices or policies. Conclusions: Schwartz Center Rounds provide a forum for discussion of challenging psychosocial and emotional issues arising during clinical care. Evaluation data suggests this educational strategy may enhance compassion, professional support, communication, teamwork, and instigate institutional changes that enhance patient care. We are currently exploring other outcomes, including but not limited to the impact of rounds on quality of patient care and patient safety. [Table: see text]