Second Victim Syndrome Must Be Addressed at Institutional Level, Article Suggests

Hsiao LH, Kopar PK. Surgeon Perception and Attitude towards the Moral Imperative of Institutionally Addressing Second-Victim Syndrome in Surgery. J Am Coll Surg. 2024; in press.

Shakhsheer BA, Wightman SC. Moving the Needle on Second Victim Syndrome: from Acknowledgement to Understanding to Action. J Am Coll Surg. 2024; in press.

Second victim syndrome (SVS) describes the pattern of emotional and psychological damage that occurs when healthcare professionals experience “moral distress” following traumatic patient care events. SVS can cause significant damage psychologically and adversely impact a clinician’s ability to provide patient care in the future.

The authors emphasized that systemic approaches to mitigate SVS-related harm are not generally available. The purpose of this study was to assess surgeons’ perceptions and attitudes regarding SVS. They used standardized survey instruments, focus groups, and interviews to obtain the needed data.

The analysis showed that surgeons felt that a comprehensive intervention program to prevent and treat SVS should be available at the institutional level. They noted that the tone and tenor of review sessions following a traumatic patient care event should be structured in a way to reduce the impact of SVS.

The data also showed that surgeons are particularly vulnerable to SVS. The article supplied needed data and perspectives that should make development of an institution-level program to mitigate SVS feasible and effective.

In an invited commentary by Shakhsheer and Wightman, the authors agreed with the findings of the study and urged the use of system-based approaches for implementing effective measures to reduce the impact of SVS.