ARCIMS 26
in
Sunday 2025-10-19 19:35
The Relationship Between Second Victim Experience and Professional Quality of Life in Nurses Working in working in Intensive Care Units of Teaching Hospitals of Hamedan, Iran (2023)
Fatemeh Shahbazi 1 ©, Alireza Shayanfar 1 ℗, Maryam Maddineshat 2, Ali Safdari 3
Abstract
1. Title: The Relationship Between Second Victim Experience and Professional Quality of Life in Nurses Working in working in Intensive Care Units of Teaching Hospitals of Hamedan, Iran (2023) 2. Introduction: Medical errors in clinical settings can lead to serious consequences for both patients and healthcare providers. While patients are considered the primary victims, nurses involved in such incidents often suffer emotionally and psychologically—commonly known as the "second victim" phenomenon. These experiences may induce guilt, anxiety, and stress, which can negatively impact their professional quality of life. Understanding this relationship is vital for improving nurses' well-being and maintaining the quality of patient care. 3. Methods and Materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study with a correlational design was conducted in 2023 among 229 nurses working in intensive care units at Beheshti, Besat, Sina, and Farshchian hospitals in Hamedan, Iran. Participants were selected through proportional cluster random sampling. Data were collected using two validated questionnaires: the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (SVEST) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16 through Pearson correlation, independent t-tests, and ANOVA. 4. Results: The mean score for second victim experience was 115.17 (SD = 15.06), and for professional quality of life, it was 87.48 (SD = 16.38). A statistically significant negative correlation was found between second victim experience and professional quality of life (r = -0.391, p 0.01). These results indicate that higher levels of second victim experience are associated with lower levels of professional quality of life among nurses. 5. Conclusion and Discussion: The findings highlight the detrimental impact of second victim experiences on nurses’ professional well-being. These psychological effects can reduce job satisfaction and care quality. Nursing administrators should implement supportive strategies, including psychological counseling, peer support programs, and training sessions to help nurses cope with medical errors. Enhancing organizational support may ultimately improve both nurses’ quality of life and patient outcomes.
Keywords: Second Victim, Professional Quality of Life, Nurses, Medical Error, Intensive
