HR Pulse - Spring 2008 - (Page 20) >> AN EMOTIONAL OUTLET FOR CAREGIVERS who felt that way,‘ ” he says. “There’s no other place where caregivers can open up like this. The most powerful, powerful aspect is that I leave every Rounds feeling that I am not alone and feeling more unified with my colleagues. Of all the things I do in my day and in my career, this {attend and coordinate Rounds} is one of the most rewarding things I do.” Multidisciplinary Emphasis The Schwartz Center Rounds are designed as an open forum for all caregivers from diverse disciplines, including physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, nutritionists, technicians, clergy, and even volunteers. Depending on the size of the institution, anywhere from 30 to 175 caregivers attend each session. “When people think of hospitals, they generally think of doctors and nurses, but so many other people provide care and support,” says Snow. “Everyone who interacts with patients and their families is affected. Having the Rounds at your organization shows that you’re concerned about your employees and that you are committed to providing an avenue of support for all disciplines.” As DuBois points out, humanistic and ethics conferences in the medical field are usually limited to doctors and nurses, which leaves out a broad spectrum of caregivers. “Here we define ‘caregiver’ broadly as anyone in contact with patients and families, from the chief of surgery to orderlies,” he explains. “It includes all the people who spend time with patients and families. Medicine requires teamwork, Meaningful Results from Rounds To help determine how attending Rounds affects caregivers’ actions and attitudes, the Schwartz Center engaged the Goodman Research Group to conduct an extensive survey at six “experienced” sites, where Rounds have been operating for three or more years. The sites included: • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center • Brigham and Women’s Hospital • Massachusetts General Hospital • MidMichigan Medical Center • Overlook Hospital • University of Rochester Medical Center. The survey was conducted between summer 2006 and summer 2007; a total of 256 caregivers completed an online questionnaire, and 44 interviews were conducted with caregivers, Rounds coordinators, Rounds facilitators, and hospital administrators. Below is a snapshot of key findings. Insight into Non-Clinical Aspects of Care The majority of caregivers indicated the Rounds had at least some positive effect on how they interacted with patients. In particular, they were somewhat more likely to consider the effects of illness on the personal lives of patients and their family members. They also tried harder to understand their patients and felt both more compassionate and more energized in their work. Rounds also gave them some new strategies for handling patient situations. 20 HR Pulse Spring 2008 How Interactions with Patients Changed as a Result of Rounds % Disagree I try harder to imagine myself in patients’ shoes when providing care to them. I try harder to understand what is going on in patients’ minds by paying attention to their nonverbal cues and body language. I have more compassion (sharing in the suffering of others) for patients and their families. I feel more energized about my work with patients. I have new ideas/strategies for handling patient situations. I am more comfortable discussing tough/sensitive non-clinical issues with patients and their families. I try to be less hurried during my time with patients. I show more emotion when responding to a patient’s expression of feelings. I am more likely to share personal information with patients when it is appropriate. 17% 16% 16% 16% 13% 15% 19% 23% 27% % Agree 83% 84% 84% 84% 87% 85% 82% 77% 74%
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