An evaluation of support to the second victims in Tshwane District Health Services, South Africa

<b>Background</b>: Initiatives to reduce patient safety incidents (PSI) and support healthcare professionals who may experience psychological trauma as a result are becoming increasingly common. However, little is known about the quality of the support provided by Tshwane District Health Services. Therefore, it is necessary to assess their assistance for the second victims in order to evaluate their effectiveness.<b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 319 healthcare professionals from six primary health care institutions were invited to participate in the study. The sociodemographic information, work experience, emotional support, familiarity with the concept of the ‘second victim’ and involvement with PSIs were collected.<b>Results:</b> The mean age was 39.8 years, ranging from 22 years to 66 years. The majority of participants were females (n= 249; 78.1%), nurses (n= 153; 49.2%), and those with 5–9 years of experience (n= 82; 25.8%). Most participants (n= 168; 52.7%) were aware of the possibilities ofemotional support, while less than half (n= 142; 44.5%) were familiar with the term ‘second victim’. The cumulative incidence of adverse events in the institutions was 19.4%, and the majority of second victims (n= 39; 62.9%) emotionally felt the need to speak with someone about it, preferably outside of the workplace. Less than 5% of individuals received support that was initiated by existing structures at their workplace.<b>Conclusion</b>: Frameworks exist to assist second victims, although they are only known to some healthcare professionals. However, their current use in Tshwane health facilities is ineffective. After experiencing PSIs, second victims often rely on psychological assistance outside of the workplace.<b>Contribution</b>: Authorities need to determine the causes behind some healthcare professionals’ lack of awareness regarding the support framework for second victims, as well as their growing tendency to rely on psychologists outside of the workplace, and corrective measures should be implemented.

<b>背景</b>：旨在减少患者安全事件（patient safety incidents，PSI）并为可能因此遭受心理创伤的医疗专业人员提供支持的举措正日益普遍。然而，关于茨瓦内地区卫生服务局（Tshwane District Health Services）提供的支持质量，目前知之甚少。因此，有必要评估其对第二受害者（second victims）的援助，以衡量其有效性。<b>方法</b>：本研究采用横断面研究（cross-sectional study）设计，邀请来自6所初级卫生保健机构的319名医疗专业人员参与。收集的信息包括社会人口学信息（sociodemographic information）、工作经验、情感支持、对“第二受害者”概念的熟悉程度以及参与患者安全事件的情况。<b>结果</b>：参与者平均年龄为39.8岁，范围在22至66岁之间。大多数参与者为女性（n=249；78.1%）、护士（n=153；49.2%）以及拥有5-9年工作经验者（n=82；25.8%）。大多数参与者（n=168；52.7%）知晓情感支持的可能性，而不到一半（n=142；44.5%）熟悉“第二受害者”这一术语。机构内不良事件累积发生率为19.4%，大多数第二受害者（n=39；62.9%）在情感上需要向他人倾诉此事，且更倾向于在工作场所以外寻求帮助。不到5%的个体获得了由工作场所现有结构主动提供的支持。<b>结论</b>：尽管部分医疗专业人员知晓针对第二受害者的支持框架，但这些框架在茨瓦内卫生机构的当前使用效果不佳。经历患者安全事件后，第二受害者往往依赖工作场所以外的心理援助。<b>贡献</b>：当局需查明部分医疗专业人员对第二受害者支持框架缺乏认知的原因，以及他们日益倾向于寻求工作场所以外心理医生帮助的趋势，并应采取纠正措施。