Imelda McCarthy1, Cath Taylor2, Mary Leamy3, Ellie Reynolds4, Jill Maben5. 1. Research Fellow, Aston Business School, Aston University, UK. 2. Reader in Healthcare Workforce Organisation and Wellbeing, School of Health Sciences, University of Surrey, UK. 3. Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, UK. 4. Research Associate, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, UK. 5. Professor of Health Services Research and Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Surrey, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Schwartz Center Rounds® ('Rounds') are multidisciplinary forums where health care staff come together to reflect upon the emotional impact of their work. In each Round, a small number of staff (panellists) share experiences through stories to trigger reflection in audience members. Previous research has identified impacts associated with Rounds' attendance, but little is known about the experience and impact of Rounds from panellists' perspectives. This study is the first to explore the role of disclosure and reflection through storytelling in Rounds, specifically exploring panellists' motivations, experiences and reported impacts associated with panel participation. METHODS: Interviews with 50 panellists, from nine case-study sites in the United Kingdom, representing acute, community and mental health National Health Service trusts and hospices. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Most panellists spoke positively about their experience of sharing their stories in Rounds. Reported impacts included: increased emotional resilience and acceptance of experiences; reduced negative assumptions about colleagues and increased approachability and trust increasing tolerance and compassion; the creation of a space to stop and think and to reframe negative patient experiences facilitating greater empathy and emotional disclosure becoming more visible and normative, thereby helping change culture. Impacts on staff were similar regardless of contextual variability, including their professional group or role, with the exception of impact on patient care, which was not mentioned by non-clinical staff. The extent of panel preparation and audience characteristics (e.g. size, composition and response to their stories) influenced panellists' experiences and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Rounds highlight the important role of disclosure and reflection through storytelling to support panellists with the emotional aspects of their work, providing a space for support with the emotional demands of health care, reducing the need for employees to be stoic. Panel participation also offers an important source of validation in organizations marked by scrutiny.
OBJECTIVES: Schwartz Center Rounds® ('Rounds') are multidisciplinary forums where health care staff come together to reflect upon the emotional impact of their work. In each Round, a small number of staff (panellists) share experiences through stories to trigger reflection in audience members. Previous research has identified impacts associated with Rounds' attendance, but little is known about the experience and impact of Rounds from panellists' perspectives. This study is the first to explore the role of disclosure and reflection through storytelling in Rounds, specifically exploring panellists' motivations, experiences and reported impacts associated with panel participation. METHODS: Interviews with 50 panellists, from nine case-study sites in the United Kingdom, representing acute, community and mental health National Health Service trusts and hospices. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Most panellists spoke positively about their experience of sharing their stories in Rounds. Reported impacts included: increased emotional resilience and acceptance of experiences; reduced negative assumptions about colleagues and increased approachability and trust increasing tolerance and compassion; the creation of a space to stop and think and to reframe negative patient experiences facilitating greater empathy and emotional disclosure becoming more visible and normative, thereby helping change culture. Impacts on staff were similar regardless of contextual variability, including their professional group or role, with the exception of impact on patient care, which was not mentioned by non-clinical staff. The extent of panel preparation and audience characteristics (e.g. size, composition and response to their stories) influenced panellists' experiences and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Rounds highlight the important role of disclosure and reflection through storytelling to support panellists with the emotional aspects of their work, providing a space for support with the emotional demands of health care, reducing the need for employees to be stoic. Panel participation also offers an important source of validation in organizations marked by scrutiny.
Authors: Elisa Liberati; Natalie Richards; Janet Willars; David Scott; Nicola Boydell; Jennie Parker; Vanessa Pinfold; Graham Martin; Mary Dixon-Woods; Peter B Jones Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2021-05-12 Impact factor: 3.630