Clinical Scorecard: Exploring Second Victim Syndrome Among Surgeons: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Adverse Events on Surgical Practitioners
At a Glance
Category
Detail
Condition
Second Victim Syndrome (SVS) characterized by psychological and psychosomatic effects on surgeons after adverse patient events
Key Mechanisms
Psychological effects (anxiety, guilt, sadness, sleep disturbance), cognitive effects (burnout, compassion fatigue), and social/spiritual/physical consequences following adverse events
Target Population
Surgeons involved in adverse patient care events
Care Setting
Surgical and healthcare environments where adverse events occur
Key Highlights
Most common SVS symptoms among surgeons include anxiety (56.3%), guilt (53.8%), sadness (48.3%), and sleep disturbance (50.5%).
Common coping strategies are talking to colleagues (72.5%) and family/friends (52.0%).
Sex, surgeon experience level, and severity of adverse event predict the impact of SVS; SVS contributes to burnout and attrition.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Identify psychological and psychosomatic symptoms post-adverse event including anxiety, guilt, sadness, and sleep disturbances.
Consider surgeon-specific factors such as sex, experience level, and event severity in assessing SVS impact.
Management
Implement multifaceted interventions including peer support and resilience training.
Normalize emotional responses and encourage disclosure within institutions.
Provide targeted support for at-risk surgeon groups.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Monitor for signs of burnout and attrition among surgeons following adverse events.
Assess effectiveness of coping strategies and institutional support mechanisms.
Risks
Unaddressed SVS can lead to significant psychological distress, burnout, and workforce attrition.
Stigmatization and pathologizing natural emotional responses may hinder help-seeking.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Surgeons experiencing psychological distress after involvement in adverse patient events
Talking to colleagues and family/friends are primary coping methods; institutional peer support and resilience programs are recommended to improve outcomes.
Clinical Best Practices
Recognize SVS symptoms early in surgeons following adverse events.
Encourage open communication and peer support to facilitate emotional processing.
Incorporate resilience training and institutional policies that destigmatize emotional responses.
Tailor support interventions based on surgeon demographics and event severity.
Monitor for long-term impacts including burnout and attrition.
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