The relationship between medical error and Second Victimization symptomatology: A Meta-Analysis

Authors

Aissa Gabriela Suciu¹, Nicoleta Monica Jiboc¹, and Sebastian Pintea^1*

¹ Department of Psychology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Abstract

Physicians are expected to perform at unrealistic standards of perfection in a complex environment, where the human aspect of their fallibility is often overlooked. We conducted a systematic literature review in four major databases to explore the relationship between medical errors and second victimization symptoms among healthcare providers. The search was completed in June 2023, and inclusion criteria were healthcare providers involved in medical errors, studies assessing medical errors and second victimization symptoms, providing statistical data for the relationship, and published in peer-reviewed journals. Statistical analyses were employed using a 95% Confidence Interval (CI), with significant heterogeneity Q(12) = 271.13, p < .001, I²= 95.57%. The overall rate of second victimization was statistically significant, ER= 0.402, 95% CI [0.308, 0.503]. Results from 10480 healthcare providers from thirteen individual studies were included in the statistical analysis. There is a statistically significant event rate of 0.402 to become victimized following a medical error, with a greater probability of affective symptoms such as guilt, anger, shame, sadness, and anxiety, compared to cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms. Medium age and experience were positive significant predictors of second victimization, while being a woman was a negative predictor. The severity of the consequences for the patient was a positive predictor of second victimization. Error is human, adverse events are inevitable, and so is the trauma that follows. Healthcare providers across different specializations and levels of experience worldwide experience a range of symptoms following involvement in a medical error, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and support systems.

Keywords: doctors, second victim, medical error, physician

PAGES:69-82

doi:10.24193/cbb.2025.29.04

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