The surgeon as the second victim? Results of the Boston Intraoperative Adverse Events Surgeons' Attitude (BISA) study.
Health care providers who experience psychological harm associated with adverse events are often referred to as second victims. This survey of surgeons found that the majority who could recall an intraoperative adverse event experienced negative emotions, and only a minority accessed formal support systems. This work emphasizes the need to build systems to provide support for second victims.