Experiences of Secondary Victimization Among Anesthesiology and Reanimation Physicians in Turkiye and Evaluation of Support Resources

Aim: The “second victim phenomenon” refers to healthcare providers who are affected by an unexpected patient harm, medical error, or adverse event, either directly or indirectly. This study aimed to assess the experiences, awareness, and availability of support for second victims among healthcare providers.Materials and Methods: A prospective, multicenter, and cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey that included the Turkish version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (T-SVEST). The survey was administered to anesthesiology and reanimation physicians in two cities in Türkiye.Results: The response rate was 65% (200/306); 65% of the participants were female, and the average age ranged from 35 to 45. 19.5% of the participants had experienced a second victim phenomenon event in their careers. Female anesthesiologists had significantly higher awareness and satisfaction scores than males (p = 0.012 and p = 0.009, respectively). No significant differences were found in awareness and satisfaction based on socio-demographic data. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between awareness and satisfaction levels (Pearson r = 0.211, p = 0.003).Conclusion: Female anesthesiologists showed higher awareness and satisfaction regarding the second victim phenomenon, and higher awareness levels were associated with greater satisfaction.