Can Being More Clark Kent, Less Superman Reduce Second Victim Syndrome?

In this podcast, Luiz Santos BVSc MSc Dip. ACVAA, presents his pioneering research into Second Victim Syndrome in the veterinary profession and his extensive knowledge on the topic in the medical field.

In conversation with Danny Chambers and Robyn Lowe we delve into personal experiences of Second Victim Syndrome and how it can affect any one of us at any time.

Following an adverse event in practice, our focus is often on the harm done to our patient, and the negative psychological impact on the caring professionals involved are often overlooked. These psychological impacts can be severe and long lasting and can lead to long term mental ill-health and/ or leaving the profession.

We call this Second Victim Syndrome.

 We discuss practical ways to reduce our experiences of this and how having a superhero mentality may not always be helpful to ourselves and others around us, highlighting the importance of peer support.

If you feel you have been affected by this podcast, or that you are experiencing symptoms of Second Victim Syndrome then please contact Vetlife Helpline, available 24/7 on 0303 040 2551/ www.vetlife.org.uk

Please see the following links for more information on Second Victim Syndrome:

·   ForYOU website, providing useful information on Second Victim: https://www.muhealth.org/about-us/quality-care-patient-safety/office-of-clinical-effectiveness/foryou

·    A Youtube podcast, with Dr Susan Scott describing her extensive work with Second Victim Syndrome amongst medics: https://youtu.be/5MdvKUXZWS4

·    ‘The natural history of recovery for the healthcare provider “second victim” after adverse patient events,’ by Dr Susan Scott: https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/18/5/325

·     ‘Medical error: the second victim,’ by Albert Wu: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1117748/