Supporting the second victim

Abstract

‘Second victim’ describes the negative impact an adverse event has on a healthcare professional. This is something any healthcare professional can experience after any patient safety incident. Lack of awareness and knowledge of the concept has resulted in it often going unrecognized, and therefore the relevant support is often not offered to those in need. A wide variety of symptoms can be experienced, both physical and mental, although emotional distress is almost universally experienced. A six-stage trajectory has been described with the pivotal final stage resulting in the healthcare provider dropping out, surviving or thriving. ‘Thriving’ is the ideal outcome, and therefore appropriate support is needed to enable individuals to reach this desired outcome. Raising awareness, educating clinicians on signs and symptoms and encouraging open communication are all strategies to help prevent the impact of adverse events and support those who are the second victim. NHS England has recommended that healthcare establishments should play an active role in this education and enable staff to access the support they need. Supporting the second victim is critical to the welfare of our workforce and to prevent further negative consequences such as burnout.