Supporting involved health care professionals (second victims) following an adverse health event: a literature review.
Clinicians who are involved in a medical error are at increased risk for psychological complications and burnout; this phenomenon has resulted in clinicians who are involved in errors being called second victims. This review identified several strategies that organizations can use to support second victims, both at an individual and organizational level. An important part of supporting second victims appears to be providing immediate access to assistance, as in a second victim rapid response team. The effects of errors on health care providers are discussed in this AHRQ WebM&M perspective.