The Schwartz Rounds program has been successfully introduced in undergraduate medical education settings, with widespread adoption in the U.K. and growing implementation in the U.S. The longest-running educational Schwartz Rounds program began in the U.S. in 2003 at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions (MGH-IHP), an institute for multidisciplinary health professional education, setting a precedent for their use in educational settings.39
Research results: Most published studies on the impact of the Schwartz Rounds program in educational settings have been done as pre/post-evaluations conducted at single institutions, often as pilot programs. In almost all of these studies, researchers have found themes and benefits that are consistent with standard Schwartz Rounds programs. Overall, the Schwartz Rounds program has been well received by health professional students.
Issues for further exploration include whether there is incremental benefit to students who have had more clinical exposure, whether single or multidisciplinary Schwartz Rounds sessions are better received and impactful, how best to facilitate psychological safety for self-disclosure in the presence of faculty, optimal group size, and the pros and cons of using online platforms to increase participation, and recording the sessions.36,37,39,40
Valued by students: The vast majority of students expressed their intention to attend Schwartz Rounds sessions again in the future.35,37,39 The open discussion in the sessions was more highly valued by students with more years of training.34 Students in later years of training were more worried about burnout or “compassion fatigue” than students earlier in their training.40 Sixty four percent of participants in one study thought the Schwartz Rounds program should be integrated into the medical school curriculum.40
Greater understanding of the patient: Most students agreed that the sessions enabled a greater understanding of the importance of empathy for patients.34,51 Students greatly appreciated hearing stories that demonstrated the human side of medicine.
Reflection improved personal insight: Students expressed a strong preference for Schwartz Rounds sessions as a personal reflection modality over the reflective essays that are required in the U.K.37 Some students reported that the sessions helped them identify their learning needs, particularly regarding how to handle sensitive issues.34,39 Ninety three percent of students in one study felt that the program enhanced their insight and self-awareness.35
Normalizing and processing emotions: It was reassuring to students to witness peers and senior clinical role models coping with difficult emotions, thus normalizing these emotions and the need to learn positive emotion regulation and coping strategies.37 The Schwartz Rounds program provided space to question professional culture and norms.38
Improved inter-professional understanding, communication and connection: Students appreciated the opportunity to learn from and about other disciplines, and to explore their assumptions about other health professions.35 Some expressed the belief that attending Schwartz Rounds sessions could improve communication and reduce professional hierarchies.37,38,39 Eighty two percent of students agreed that attending the Schwartz Rounds sessions gave them insight into how others feel/think about caring for patients.40
Openness to sharing experiences and emotions: “Contribution anxiety” was a prominent theme in some studies. Sharing experiences and emotional reactions in Schwartz Rounds sessions, especially in front of more senior students and faculty in a group setting, was difficult and intimidating due to a fear of judgment.37,38 However, many reported an openness to expressing thoughts, questions, and feelings after attending sessions. Sharing experiences also facilitated a greater sense of belonging and helped to encourage the positive processing of emotions.40
