Second Victims among Austrian Pediatricians (SeViD-A1 Study)

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Safety
• Occupational Health

Background:

• The second victim phenomenon (SVP) significantly impacts healthcare professionals and patient safety.
• Limited epidemiological data exists for SVP in German-speaking regions, particularly Austria.
• Previous studies in Germany provide some insights, but quantitative Austrian data on SVP prevalence, symptom burden, and support needs is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence, symptom load, and preferred support measures for second victims (SVs) among Austrian pediatricians.
• To address the gap in quantitative epidemiological data regarding SVP in Austria.
• To identify factors associated with experiencing SVP in this specific healthcare cohort.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide, cross-sectional, anonymous online survey was administered to Austrian pediatricians.
• The SeViD questionnaire (Second Victims in Deutschland) and the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10) were utilized.
• Statistical analyses included binary-logistic and multiple linear regression, employing bootstrapping (BCa method) with 1000 samples.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of 89% of Austrian pediatricians self-identified as second victims (SVs).
• The unexpected death or suicide of a patient was the most frequent cause of becoming an SV.
• High neuroticism and extraversion scores, along with work in outpatient settings, correlated positively with experiencing SVP.
• Access to legal counseling was identified as a preferred support strategy.

Conclusions:

• Austrian pediatricians exhibit the highest SVP prevalence recorded using the SeViD questionnaire.
• The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies and intervention programs for SVs in this population.
• Further research should explore tailored support systems and preventative measures to mitigate the impact of SVP on healthcare providers.