A study from the University of Eastern Finland found that healthcare workers often face psychological stress after making a medication error, and those with little organizational support were more likely to consider quitting their job or taking time off.
The term “second victim,” coined by Dr. Albert Ou, refers to medical workers who suffer psychological distress after a serious patient safety incident.
A study of 149 nurses and doctors in Finland found that a lack of organizational support following a medication error was associated with higher turnover and absenteeism.
More than a third of healthcare workers felt they received too little support, and those who felt more distressed about being a “second victim” were more likely to want to quit or take time off. The survey highlights the need for better support after errors occur in healthcare settings.
Postdoctoral researcher Sanu Mahat urges healthcare organizations to recognize the “second victim” phenomenon and create structured support systems. The study shows how organizational support can reduce stress, turnover, and absenteeism among healthcare workers.
Fostering a blameless culture with an emphasis on learning from mistakes improves patient safety and healthcare worker well-being, enabling healthcare workers to cope better and grow professionally.
The study concludes that a lack of support at work following a medication error can lead to negative outcomes for healthcare workers, including increased stress, absenteeism and desire to leave. Providing better support can improve healthcare workers’ well-being, help them cope with errors and reduce turnover.
Journal References:
Sanu Mahat, Helena Lehmusto et al., “The impact of secondary victimization distress on health care workers’ turnover intentions, absenteeism, and resilience: A mediation model of organizational support.” Journal of Advance Nursing. DOI: 10.1111/jan.16291.
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