To characterize the symptoms of second victim syndrome (SVS) experienced by surgeons, understand factors affecting their impact, and highlight the significance of these findings for surgical practice and training.
Key Findings:
Anxiety (56.3% (95% c.i. 45.8% to 66.3%)), guilt (53.8% (95% c.i. 41.3% to 65.8%)), sadness (48.3% (95% c.i. 34.6% to 62.3%)), and sleep disturbance (50.5% (95% c.i. 38.4% to 62.5%)) were the most commonly reported symptoms of SVS.
Talking to colleagues (72.5% (95% c.i. 65.6% to 78.4%)) and family/friends (52.0% (95% c.i. 40.6% to 63.2%)) were the most common coping strategies.
Sex, level of experience, and severity of the event were identified as potential predictors of the impact of SVS, with implications for targeted interventions.
Interpretation:
SVS significantly impacts surgeons' well-being, leading to burnout and attrition, necessitating multifaceted interventions including peer support, resilience training, and changes in surgical education and institutional policies to normalize emotional responses.
Limitations:
Potential biases in study selection and reporting, including publication bias.
Variability in definitions and measurements of SVS across studies.
Conclusion:
Effective interventions for SVS among surgeons require a comprehensive approach to support emotional responses, address barriers to seeking help, and integrate these findings into surgical education.
An anal fissure masquerading as hemorrhoid pain. A spouse's family history predicting your survival. Melatonin labels lying about their own dosage. This week's studies reward the clinician who looks twice.
