Richard Smith: Schwartz rounds⁠ – a simple way to support staff and promote compassionate patient care

Summary

Richard Smith, former BMJ Editor and Chair of the Point of Care Foundation, finds out more about Schwartz rounds in this opinion article published in the BMJ.

Content

With staff shortages and increased pressure on the NHS, it can be difficult for staff to consistently provide humane and compassionate care. Schwartz rounds are a simple, easily implemented way to support staff in providing compassionate humane care and improve their own wellbeing. Rounds are now held in over 200 NHS organisations and in many more health organisations in the US, where they were first developed.

In this article, Richard discusses the origins of Schwartz rounds and his experience of attending two Schwartz rounds, one in a hospice and one in an acute trust.