Emotional Responses and Support Needs of Healthcare Professionals after Adverse or Traumatic Experiences in Healthcare-Evidence from Seminars on Peer Support

Nursing faculty members' response to bullying in the eyes of their students: A pilot study in Pangasinan

BACKGROUND

Bullying is a pervasive issue that can occur in any setting, including among nursing students and within the nursing profession. Faculty members have a vital role in resolving bullying.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the nursing faculty members' responses to incidents of bullying within two nursing institutions in Pangasinan.

DESIGN

Descriptive- comparative design.

SETTINGS

Two Colleges of Nursing in a city in Pangasinan, Philippines.

PARTICIPANTS

Nursing students from first to fourth year BS Nursing students.

METHODS

An online survey was the main tool in this study, Lynch formula was utilized to calculate the sample size. There are 458 nursing students who participated in this study. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, one-way ANOVA, and t-test were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

It was revealed that faculty members sometimes address bullying by group discussion (M = 3.26, SD = 1.27), and they almost never utilized non-intervention in bullying (M = 2.33, SD = 0.85). There is a variation in terms of group discussion with a one-way ANOVA score of F (2, 455) = 3.22, p = 0.04, when faculty members are grouped according to their degrees. Regarding the difference between the faculty members' responses to bullying when grouped according to gender, there is a significant difference between male and female for mediation (t(457) = 2.10, p = 0.04), group discussion (t(457) = 2.79, p = 0.01), victim support (t(457) = 2.54, p = 0.01), and disciplinary methods (t(457) = 2.66, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The study emphasizes the complex nature of tackling bullying among nursing students. It highlights the efficacy of several solutions used by faculty members, such as group discussions, mediation, victim assistance, and disciplinary measures. The findings indicate that a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics involved in addressing bullying is necessary. This understanding highlights the significance of a cooperative and compassionate strategy that includes all individuals involved in the educational setting. It is clear that a standardized approach may not be enough, and customized techniques that take into account the particular circumstances and requirements of the persons involved are essential.

Intraoperative adverse events among surgeons in Singapore: a multicentre cross-sectional study on impact and support

BACKGROUND

It is known that many surgeons encounter intraoperative adverse events which can result in Second Victim Syndrome (SVS), with significant detriment to their emotional and physical health. There is, however, a paucity of Asian studies in this space. The present study thus aimed to explore the degree to which the experience of an adverse event is common among surgeons in Singapore, as well as its impact, and factors affecting their responses and perceived support systems.

METHODS

A self-administered survey was sent to surgeons at four large tertiary hospitals. The 42-item questionnaire used a systematic closed and open approach, to assess: Personal experience with intraoperative adverse events, emotional, psychological and physical impact of these events and perceived support systems.

RESULTS

The response rate was 57.5% (n = 196). Most respondents were male (54.8%), between 35 and 44 years old, and holding the senior consultant position. In the past 12 months alone, 68.9% recalled an adverse event. The emotional impact was significant, including sadness (63.1%), guilt (53.1%) and anxiety (45.4%). Speaking to colleagues was the most helpful support source (66.7%) and almost all surgeons did not receive counselling (93.3%), with the majority deeming it unnecessary (72.2%). Notably, 68.1% of the surgeons had positive takeaways, gaining new insight and improving vigilance towards errors. Both gender and surgeon experience did not affect the likelihood of errors and emotional impact, but more experienced surgeons were less likely to have positive takeaways (p = 0.035). Individuals may become advocates for patient safety, while simultaneously championing the cause of psychological support for others.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative adverse events are prevalent and its emotional impact is significant, regardless of the surgeon's experience or gender. While colleagues and peer discussions are a pillar of support, healthcare institutions should do more to address the impact and ensuing consequences.

Exploring the Experiences and Support of Nurses as Second Victims After Patient Safety Events in China: A Mixed-Method Approach

Aim

To investigate the current status of experience and support of nurses as second victims and explore its related factors in nurses.

Design

A sequential, explanatory, mixed-method study was applied.

Methods

A total of 406 nurses from seven tertiary hospitals in China were chosen as participants between September to October 2023. The Chinese version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Questionnaire (SVEST), Somatic Complaints of Sub-health Status Questionnaire (SCSSQ) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) were applied to collect quantitative data. Eight nurses were selected for a qualitative study through in-depth interviews. Through interpretive phenomenological analysis, the interview data were analysed to explore the experience and support of nurses as second victims.

Results

Practice distress (15.74 ± 4.97) and psychological distress (15.48 ± 3.74) were the highest dimensions, indicating Chinese nurses experienced second victim-related practice and psychological distress. Nurses with different gender, age, education, marital status, income, working hours, professional titles, and unit types have different levels of second victim-related experience and support (p < 0.05). In addition, the score of SVEST was positively associated with SCSSQ (r = 0.444) and GAD-7 (r = 0.490) (p < 0.05). This qualitative study found that the experience and support of nurses as second victims included nurses' perceptions and needs for patient safety events; psychological, physical and practice distress of nurses; and nurses and hospitals coping style after patient safety events.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that nurses who are second victims of patient safety events experience severe practice and psychological distress, indicating that nursing managers should pay attention to psychological and practice distress of nurses after patient safety events and provide effective preventive measures.

Scoping review of the second victim syndrome among surgeons: Understanding the impact, responses, and support systems

BACKGROUND

It is thought that 50% of healthcare providers experience Second Victim Syndrome (SVS) in the course of their practice. The manifestations of SVS varies between individuals, with potential long-lasting emotional effects that impact both the personal lives and professional clinical practice of affected persons. Although surgeons are known to face challenging and high-stress situations in their profession, which can increase their vulnerability to SVS, majority of studies and reviews have focused squarely on nonsurgical physicians.

METHODS

This scoping review aimed to consolidate existing studies pertaining to a surgeon's experience with SVS, by broadly examining the prevalence and impact, identifying the types of responses, and evaluating factors that could influence these responses. The scoping review protocol was guided by the framework outlined by Arksey and O'Malley and ensuing recommendations made by Levac and colleagues. Three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library) were searched from inception till March 19, 2023.

RESULTS

A total of 13 articles were eligible for thematic analysis based on pre-defined inclusion criteria. Effects of SVS were categorized into Psychological, Physical and Professional impacts, of which Psychological and Professional impacts were particularly significant. Factors affecting the response were categorized into complication type, surgeon factors and support systems.

CONCLUSION

SVS adds immense psychological, emotional and physical burden to the individual surgeon. There are key personal, interpersonal and environmental factors that can mitigate or exacerbate the effects of SVS, and greater emphasis needs to be placed on improving availability and access to services to help surgeons at risk of SVS.