Educating health professions students about the issues involved in communicating effectively: a novel approach.

The Schwartz Center Educational Rounds, the first Schwartz Center Rounds held at an educational institution, emphasize the overall theme of difficult conversations faced by students and professionals with patients, families, and other members of the health care team. Students in the health care professions do not have sufficient opportunities to practice the communication and decision making skills integral to compassionate caregiving. Such practice enhances communication with patients and families, as well as with other members of the interdisciplinary team. This article presents the underlying assumptions for this change-oriented project and describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Rounds for an interdisciplinary group of graduate students during a 4-year period.