Interprofessional Schwartz Rounds at Manchester Met
Supporting students' psychological wellbeing.
Supporting the health and wellbeing of our health and care students
Interprofessional Schwartz Rounds provide health and care students with an opportunity to come together and talk about the emotional aspects of caring for people.
As a student in the faculty of Health and Education, the Rounds will provide you with an opportunity to talk about the emotional and social aspects of your experiences from placement, as well as listening to others’ experiences.
Schwartz Rounds are based on the underlying principle that health and care students are more able to connect personally with others when they have greater insight into their own responses and feelings.
The benefits of Schwartz Rounds
There is evidence to suggest that Rounds can help people feel more supported in their jobs, as it provides them with an opportunity to reflect on their roles in a safe environment.
Interprofessional Schwartz Rounds have been shown to reduce the feelings of stress and isolation, which make it more difficult to provide compassionate care to people.
They enable a greater sense of collaboration with colleagues because the stories that are shared remind staff of their shared motivation to care for and support others.
There is evidence to show that they also reduce professional hierarchies, improve communication, reduce stress and normalise emotions.
Attending Schwartz Rounds makes an important contribution in relation to interprofessional learning during learning. Past students have told us that attending a Round helped them to gain insight into how others think and feel in caring for people and that hearing others talk openly about their personal feelings in the context of their work was helpful to them.
How do Interprofessional Schwartz Rounds work?
Interprofessional Schwartz Rounds follow a standard model and take place for an hour at a time.
The Round begins with an introduction from the two facilitators followed by three pre-prepared storytellers who speak for 5 minutes each, in turn, uninterrupted.
Their stories will be based on a chosen theme for the Round, for example:
- A person I’ll never forget
- In at the deep end
- What the textbooks don’t teach you
- Moving on up
- Start of something new
- Standing strong: Finding my voice
Members of the audience (students) are invited to share their feelings and similar stories and experiences after the storytellers have spoken.
Two trained facilitators contain and shape the discussion. Conversations are steered away from problem solving and focus on the emotional impact of health and care work.
Confidentiality is maintained but conversations about content and connections are encouraged outside of the group.
For Rounds which take place on campus, catering will be provided before the Round.
Get involved
Students from undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across the Faculty of Health and Education (where there is a placement element) are eligible to take part in the Interprofessional Schwartz Rounds.
Rounds are voluntary, and you do not have to attend. They will be organised at different times of the day and month to enable you to attend if you choose to. Future Rounds will be advertised via your student email and you will be invited to sign up using Eventbrite.
Find out more
For more information, or to join an Interprofessional Schwartz Round in the Faculty of Health and Education, please click on the ‘contact us’ tab below. One of the team will get back to you.
Supported by
Supported by
The Point of Care Foundation