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A cross‐sectional survey on nurses’ second victim experience and quality of support resources in Singapore
Author(s) -
Mok Wen Qi,
Chin Guey Fong,
Yap Suk Foon,
Wang Wenru
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.12920
Subject(s) - nursing , medicine , absenteeism , nursing management , peer support , cross sectional study , quality (philosophy) , social support , phenomenon , psychology , social psychology , philosophy , epistemology , pathology , physics , quantum mechanics
Aim The study aimed to investigate nurses’ second victim experience and quality of support resources in Singapore. Background The second victim phenomenon, broadly described as the suffering of providers including nurses in the face of a clinical error, is often overlooked. Methods A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey was adopted. A total of 1,163 nurses from an acute public hospital in Singapore took part in the study. The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (SVEST) was employed to assess experience of second victims and the quality of support resources. Results The study results showed that nurses experienced second victim‐related physical, psychological and professional distress. About 31.8% of the participants had turnover intentions, while 9.3% had absenteeism following an error. Nurses who are younger and less experienced were more likely to experience greater second victim response. Among the support options, peer support was rated as the most desirable. Conclusion Nurses, being at the forefront of care delivery, are especially susceptible to being a casualty of the second victim phenomenon. Implications for Nursing Management Acknowledging the second victim phenomenon, together with a strong organizational support, is essential in alleviating the trauma and assisting nurses with reconciliation in the aftermath of an unanticipated error.