What are the potential long-term effects experienced by healthcare workers who become second victims after an adverse event?

Healthcare workers who become second victims after an adverse event may experience long-term emotional and psychological effects such as guilt, shame, self-doubt, loss of confidence, depression, anxiety, and symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. These effects can lead to burnout and consideration of leaving the profession.

Healthcare workers who are second victims of adverse events can suffer from significant long-term emotional and psychological effects. These include feelings of guilt, embarrassment, and shame, which can lead to self-doubt and a loss of confidence that may persist for years. The emotional distress experienced can manifest in symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder, such as depression, anxiety, pervasive thoughts about the event, insomnia, and emotional outbursts. These psychological impacts can contribute to burnout and may cause healthcare workers to contemplate leaving their profession. The situation is exacerbated in environments that blame and punish rather than investigate and learn from errors. Support systems for second victims are crucial but not yet widely implemented, as the phenomenon is relatively new in research.