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

Author

Listed:
  • Hartwig Marung

    (Department Health Sciences, MSH Medical School Hamburg, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Reinhard Strametz

    (Wiesbaden Business School, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, 65183 Wiesbaden, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Hannah Roesner

    (Wiesbaden Business School, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, 65183 Wiesbaden, Germany)

  • Florian Reifferscheid

    (Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
    Bundesvereinigung der Arbeitsgemeinschaften der Notaerzte Deutschlands (BAND), 10969 Berlin, Germany)

  • Rainer Petzina

    (Department Health Sciences, MSH Medical School Hamburg, 20457 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Victoria Klemm

    (Wiesbaden Business School, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, 65183 Wiesbaden, Germany)

  • Milena Trifunovic-Koenig

    (Training Center for Emergency Medicine (NOTIS e.V), 78234 Engen, Germany)

  • Stefan Bushuven

    (Institute for Infection Control and Infection Prevention, Hegau-Jugendwerk Gailingen, Health Care Association District of Constance, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
    Institute for Medical Education, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
    Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany)

Abstract

Background: Patient care in the prehospital emergency setting is error-prone. Wu’s publications on the second victim syndrome made very clear that medical errors may lead to severe emotional injury on the caregiver’s part. So far, little is known about the extent of the problem within the field of prehospital emergency care. Our study aimed at identifying the prevalence of the Second Victim Phenomenon among Emergency Medical Services (EMS) physicians in Germany. Methods: Web-based distribution of the SeViD questionnaire among n = 12.000 members of the German Prehospital Emergency Physician Association (BAND) to assess general experience, symptoms and support strategies associated with the Second Victim Phenomenon. Results: In total, 401 participants fully completed the survey, 69.1% were male and the majority (91.2%) were board-certified in prehospital emergency medicine. The median length of experience in this field of medicine was 11 years. Out of 401 participants, 213 (53.1%) had experienced at least one second victim incident. Self-perceived time to full recovery was up to one month according to 57.7% (123) and more than one month to 31.0% (66) of the participants. A total of 11.3% (24) had not fully recovered by the time of the survey. Overall, 12-month prevalence was 13.7% (55/401). The COVID-19 pandemic had little effect on SVP prevalence within this specific sample. Conclusions: Our data indicate that the Second Victim Phenomenon is very frequent among prehospital emergency physicians in Germany. However, four out of ten caregivers affected did not seek or receive any assistance in coping with this stressful situation. One out of nine respondents had not yet fully recovered by the time of the survey. Effective support networks, e.g., easy access to psychological and legal counseling as well as the opportunity to discuss ethical issues, are urgently required in order to prevent employees from further harm, to keep healthcare professionals from leaving this field of medical care and to maintain a high level of system safety and well-being of subsequent patients.

Suggested Citation

  • Hartwig Marung & Reinhard Strametz & Hannah Roesner & Florian Reifferscheid & Rainer Petzina & Victoria Klemm & Milena Trifunovic-Koenig & Stefan Bushuven, 2023. "Second Victims among German Emergency Medical Services Physicians (SeViD-III-Study)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4267-:d:1082722
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kris Vanhaecht & Deborah Seys & Sophia Russotto & Reinhard Strametz & José Mira & Sigurbjörg Sigurgeirsdóttir & Albert W. Wu & Kaja Põlluste & Daniela Georgeta Popovici & Raluca Sfetcu & Sule Kurt & M, 2022. "An Evidence and Consensus-Based Definition of Second Victim: A Strategic Topic in Healthcare Quality, Patient Safety, Person-Centeredness and Human Resource Management," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Mari Liukka & Alison Steven & M Flores Vizcaya Moreno & Arja M Sara-aho & Jayden Khakurel & Pauline Pearson & Hannele Turunen & Susanna Tella, 2020. "Action after Adverse Events in Healthcare: An Integrative Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Isolde Martina Busch & Francesca Moretti & Irene Campagna & Roberto Benoni & Stefano Tardivo & Albert W. Wu & Michela Rimondini, 2021. "Promoting the Psychological Well-Being of Healthcare Providers Facing the Burden of Adverse Events: A Systematic Review of Second Victim Support Resources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Carmela Rinaldi & Matteo Ratti & Sophia Russotto & Deborah Seys & Kris Vanhaecht & Massimiliano Panella, 2022. "Healthcare Students and Medical Residents as Second Victims: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, September.
    5. Stefan Bushuven & Milena Trifunovic-Koenig & Michael Bentele & Stefanie Bentele & Reinhard Strametz & Victoria Klemm & Matthias Raspe, 2022. "Self-Assessment and Learning Motivation in the Second Victim Phenomenon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-19, November.
    6. Reinhard Strametz & Johannes C. Fendel & Peter Koch & Hannah Roesner & Max Zilezinski & Stefan Bushuven & Matthias Raspe, 2021. "Prevalence of Second Victims, Risk Factors, and Support Strategies among German Nurses (SeViD-II Survey)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-15, October.
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