The Rounds: 5-Step Guide

Participating in “Rounds” with the medical team is one of the best ways to advocate for your loved one in the hospital. What are Rounds? Doctor Rounds are typically a daily visit to the patient’s bedside by physician/nursing staff to discuss patient status, and care plans. Additionally, for caregivers, it’s an opportunity to provide the team with your own observations, questions or concerns regarding your loved one while in the hospital. Do everything in your power to attend daily Rounds. Not only will you learn more about your loved one’s medical prognosis and plan, you can provide the team with valuable information that can help their overall care. Here are 5 ways to show-up in Rounds…

1 — Be An Active Participant

be seen + heard

You may not have much to contribute in way of speaking at every Rounds, but staying present and engaged is key. From taking notes, actively listening, or simply looking the medical team in the eye - your participation will make a world of difference.

2 — Ask Qs

there are no dumb questions

Take a few minutes to prepare any Qs you have prior to Rounds to ensure nothing gets missed. This can be a great exercise with a partner, perhaps another caregiver tending to the same patient: recap recent developments or concerns to address with the medical team. Rounds are chock-full of technical terminology - and it can feel daunting to keep up. But remember this: your job is not to “speak doctor”. As caregivers, it’s absolutely acceptable, even expected, to ask clarifying questions. If you utter the phrase “what does that mean” during Rounds - you are doing a stellar job as a caregiver. So ask away!

Quick Tip: Whenever possible ask for a quick sketch or drawing from medical staff when concepts are difficult to grasp.

3 — Provide Information + Continuity

you are the common thread

Caregivers provide the most context and continuity on any medical team. Here’s how:

Context: Data is king to most care plans - and while test results and numbers are extremely important - they don’t always paint a full picture. Observational and historical information is also essential. Notice the patient is not their usual self today? Observe a sudden change in symptoms? Does the patient have a history adversely reacting to meds? Caregivers are usually the first to notice the most nuanced change or development in a patient - because caregivers live at the patient’s bedside, not in operating rooms or charted spreadsheets.

Continuity: Stay at a hospital long enough and you’ll experience the constant shuffle, the “changing of the guard” amongst nurses and physicians - but one thing usually remains the same: Caregivers. You can help avoid communications breakdown or silos amongst hospital teams by having a consistent presence and voice at Rounds.

4 — Voice Concerns

medicine is an imperfect science

Missteps happen, unexpected turns will arise. If something feels off - tell the team. At best, the staff can provide reassurance. At worst, you may prevent something from falling through the cracks. Questioning “standard medical procedure” is the job of caregivers, and it’s even expected of us by medical teams during Rounds.

Ask for a follow-up meeting if all of your Qs/concerns are not addressed in Rounds. Your loved one’s care should be a fluid conversation and work in progress - up until they are well again and discharged to go home. Urgent matters should never have to wait to be addressed. Ask your nurse if something can’t wait for Rounds - it is totally acceptable to request a real-time response if needed.

5 — Build Rapport

building bridges + bolstering humanity

Trust is the foundation to any successful relationship, and connecting on a human level with medical staff helps build powerful rapport. Ask to begin Rounds with introductions for any new team members or visiting specialists, and introduce yourself if needed, stating your name and relationship to the patient. Ask new members their name, field of expertise, and role on the team. If feeling intimidated - just take a breath. Remember you have an important role and purpose at Rounds: infusing humanity and patient advocacy. It doesn’t hurt to gently remind physicians that the patient, your loved one, is more than a number. They are individuals with families and histories, and most importantly, futures.