Evaluation of second victim experiences and support needs among physicians and nurses.
- 1Department of Public Health, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak, Türkiye. [email protected].
- 2Department of Public Health, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak, Türkiye.
- 3Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak, Türkiye.
Abstract
Background
Patient safety aims to prevent medical errors and improve care quality; however, adverse events may also negatively affect the healthcare professionals involved. This phenomenon, known as second victimhood, is associated with psychological and professional consequences such as guilt, burnout, and trauma symptoms. Evidence from Türkiye remains limited. This study aimed to assess second victimhood experiences among physicians and nurses, examine associated impacts, and identify support needs.Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2023 among physicians and nurses working at a tertiary university hospital in Türkiye. The entire target population was approached, and 366 participants were included. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Turkish version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (T-SVEST). Descriptive analyses, group comparisons, correlation analyses, internal consistency analyses, and multivariable binary logistic regression were performed.Results
Among the participants, 66.9% were female; 45.9% were nurses and 42.1% were resident physicians. Second victimhood was reported by 15.0% of participants, and 75.9% of those with valid responses reported negative consequences. In bivariate analyses, second victimhood differed according to age group, professional/occupational title, and years of employment at the current institution. In the multivariable model, age ≥ 46 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.97-14.06) and employment at the current institution for 2-5 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43-5.56) remained independently associated with second victimhood. Most participants reported high preferences for structured institutional support, including peer and managerial support, opportunities for recovery, and access to psychological counseling.Conclusion
Second victimhood was reported by a notable minority of physicians and nurses. The findings suggest that patient safety approaches should also consider the psychosocial well-being of healthcare professionals. Structured, accessible, confidential, and non-punitive post-event support mechanisms may help institutions respond more effectively to second victim experiences.
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BibTeX
@article{acıkgoz2026evaluation,
title = {{Evaluation of second victim experiences and support needs among physicians and nurses.}},
author = {Bilgehan Açıkgöz and Rabia Cansel Ağırtmış and Ayşegül Ekemen and Hilal Ayoğlu and Ferruh Niyazi Ayoğlu},
journal = {BMC health services research},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1186/s12913-026-15766-7},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42920132},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Evaluation of second victim experiences and support needs among physicians and nurses.
AU - Bilgehan Açıkgöz
AU - Rabia Cansel Ağırtmış
AU - Ayşegül Ekemen
AU - Hilal Ayoğlu
AU - Ferruh Niyazi Ayoğlu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - BMC health services research
DO - 10.1186/s12913-026-15766-7
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42920132
AB - Background Patient safety aims to prevent medical errors and improve care quality; however, adverse events may also negatively affect the healthcare professionals involved. This phenomenon, known as second victimhood, is associated with psychological and professional consequences such as guilt, burnout, and trauma symptoms. Evidence from Türkiye remains limited. This study aimed to assess second victimhood experiences among physicians and nurses, examine associated impacts, and identify support needs.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2023 among physicians and nurses working at a tertiary university hospital in Türkiye. The entire target population was approached, and 366 participants were included. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Turkish version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (T-SVEST). Descriptive analyses, group comparisons, correlation analyses, internal consistency analyses, and multivariable binary logistic regression were performed.Results Among the participants, 66.9% were female; 45.9% were nurses and 42.1% were resident physicians. Second victimhood was reported by 15.0% of participants, and 75.9% of those with valid responses reported negative consequences. In bivariate analyses, second victimhood differed according to age group, professional/occupational title, and years of employment at the current institution. In the multivariable model, age ≥ 46 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.97-14.06) and employment at the current institution for 2-5 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43-5.56) remained independently associated with second victimhood. Most participants reported high preferences for structured institutional support, including peer and managerial support, opportunities for recovery, and access to psychological counseling.Conclusion Second victimhood was reported by a notable minority of physicians and nurses. The findings suggest that patient safety approaches should also consider the psychosocial well-being of healthcare professionals. Structured, accessible, confidential, and non-punitive post-event support mechanisms may help institutions respond more effectively to second victim experiences.
SN - 1472-6963
ER -