The term “second victim syndrome” was first coined by Dr. Albert Wu in 2000. The definition is “the effect of an unanticipated adverse medical event on a clinician.” Certainly, the concept is pertinent to what health care professionals experience in their careers, but it comes with a very negative connotation. There has been discussion in the literature of the need to change the name, but so far, nothing has really …
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It’s time to reframe second victim syndrome
Burnout has been an issue for those in health care long before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the increased stress and anxiety we face now have caused a host of new problems. The current environment health care professionals (HCPs) find themselves in has brought issues of physical and emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and moral injury, not to mention more instances of second victim syndrome (the effect of an unanticipated, adverse medical …
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Peer support during the era of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone, especially those of us in health care. Our way of practicing medicine has been changed; some would say forever. We find ourselves affected not only clinically but also emotionally. As a result, clinicians are experiencing more stress and anxiety than ever before. These feelings are not new but have been heightened in the face of the pandemic.
Physicians are perceived as self-reliant, emotionally stoic, and …
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Peer-to-peer support and the second victim syndrome
It has been six months since I have achieved certification as a physician peer coach. My motivation was the desire to provide both peer support and guidance to my colleagues in health care. Once certified, I began the process of reaching out to individuals and organizations and was surprised to learn that many in the field of medicine were unaware of coaching as a tool for wellness. Specifically, …
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Reflections of a physician coach
