The Effects of the Second Victim Phenomenon on Work-Related Outcomes: Connecting Self-Reported Caregiver Distress to Turnover Intentions and Absenteeism

Abstract

Objectives 

Second victim experiences can affect the well-being of healthcare providers and compromise patient safety. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between self-reported second victim–related distress to turnover intention and absenteeism. Organizational support was examined concurrently because it was hypothesized to explain the potential relationships between distress and work-related outcomes.

Methods 

A cross-sectional, self-report survey (the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool) of nurses directly involved in patient care (N = 155) was analyzed by using hierarchical linear regression. The tool assesses organizational support, distress due to patient safety event involvement, and work-related outcomes.

Results 

Second victim distress was significantly associated with turnover intentions (P < 0.001) and absenteeism (P < 0.001), while controlling for the effects of demographic variables. Organizational support fully mediated the distress–turnover intentions (P < 0.05) and distress-absenteeism (P < 0.05) relationships, which indicates that perceptions of organizational support may explain turnover intentions and absenteeism related to the second victim experience.

Conclusions 

Involvement in patient safety events and the important role of organizational support in limiting caregiver event–related trauma have been acknowledged. This study is one of the first to connect second victim distress to work-related outcomes. This study reinforces the efforts health care organizations are making to develop resources to support their staff after patient safety events occur. This study broadens the understanding of the negative effects of a second victim experience and the need to support caregivers as they recover from adverse event involvement.