It’s been a feature of Schwartz rounds in many institutions to have, as a break from the team-based, thematic presentations, the odd session where a few folk offer to sit on the panel and talk to the title “A Patient I’ll Always Remember”
(For those who don’t have them, Schwartz rounds are sessions focussed on the emotional or psychological aspects of caring for patients and their relatives. They are facilitated sessions where the presentation, reflection, and learning is on the human responses to events rather than the clinical/practical aspects of the case. Pilot studies in the UK have shown they may be beneficial in supporting staff, and hopefully caring for patients.)
If you were to take 2 mins, and answer to yourself, “How would I address such a challenge?” what would your answer be?
Do you remember a time that you missed a diagnosis?
When a complaint landed against you, right or wrong?
When you met with an exceptional event – the first time you diagnosed child sexual abuse, or were asked by a young person “How will I die?”
When a family brightened your day with a word, gift or action?
Can you share that with your most trusted professional companions, and see how they reflect upon experiences that mirror yours and offer insights into their view of the events?
- Bob Phillips