What is a second victim?

Summary

Second Victim Support looks at the definition of a 'second victim', how they are impacted personally and professionally and what can be done to support them.

Second victims are healthcare providers who are involved in an unanticipated adverse patient event, a medical error and/or a patient related injury and become victimised in the sense that the provider is traumatised by the event. Frequently, these individuals feel personally responsible for the patient outcome. Many feel as though they have failed the patient, second guessing their clinical skills and knowledge base.

(Scott et al, 2009)