ABSTRACT
A Schwartz Round is a monthly meeting held in a healthcare organisation where the impact of caring and the human dimensions of providing healthcare are considered. By 2009 the psychology service was well established and becoming integrated with the many innovative strands of work to improve organisational culture which the hospital was developing. The difference between the UK and US context was starkly obvious in terms of access to healthcare in both countries. Both facilitators were senior psychologists who were already providing staff support services to their organisations. The teams travelled together to Boston where they had an opportunity to observe a number of well-established Schwartz Rounds and to meet with experienced Schwartz Round facilitators. Schwartz Rounds can strengthen the carer/patient relationship by providing space to reflect on the cost and impact of caring. Schwartz Rounds were piloted in two National Healthcare Service (NHS) Trusts (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and Gloucester Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust).
