Second Victims among German Emergency Medical Services Physicians (SeViD-III-Study)

Area of Science:

• Medical Error and Patient Safety
• Occupational Health
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Medical errors in prehospital emergency care can cause significant emotional distress for healthcare providers, a phenomenon known as the Second Victim Syndrome.
• While recognized, the prevalence and impact of the Second Victim Phenomenon in prehospital emergency care settings remain understudied.
• This study focuses on understanding the extent of this issue among Emergency Medical Services (EMS) physicians in Germany.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of the Second Victim Phenomenon (SVP) among prehospital emergency physicians in Germany.
• To assess the experiences, symptoms, and support strategies related to SVP in this professional group.
• To identify the need for improved support systems for affected healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• A web-based survey using the SeViD questionnaire was distributed to approximately 12,000 members of the German Prehospital Emergency Physician Association (BAND).
• The survey collected data on general experiences, symptoms, and coping strategies associated with the Second Victim Phenomenon.
• A total of 401 participants completed the survey, providing data for the analysis.

Main Results:

• Over half (53.1%) of the 401 surveyed EMS physicians reported experiencing at least one second victim incident.
• A significant portion of affected physicians experienced prolonged recovery, with 11.3% not fully recovered at the time of the survey.
• The 12-month prevalence of the Second Victim Phenomenon was found to be 13.7%, with the COVID-19 pandemic having minimal impact on this specific sample.

Conclusions:

• The Second Victim Phenomenon is highly prevalent among prehospital emergency physicians in Germany, indicating a widespread issue.
• A substantial number of affected physicians do not seek or receive adequate assistance, and many experience long-term psychological effects.
• There is an urgent need to establish robust support networks, including psychological and legal counseling, to mitigate harm, retain healthcare professionals, and ensure system safety.