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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Second victim phenomenon among Estonian midwives: Prevalence, effect and possibilities for support strategies - A multi-method study
1
University of Tartu, Department of Internal Medicine Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A931
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Patient safety is a framework of organized activities and it aims: lower risks, reduce the occurrence of avoidable harm, make error less likely and reduce its impact when it does occur. A second victim (SV) in health care is defined as any health care worker, directly or indirectly involved in an unanticipated adverse patient event, unintentional healthcare error, or patient injury and becomes victimized in the sense that they are negatively impacted. It is known that birthing unit midwives report higher SV scores than their primary care colleagues and obstetricians. Lower level of support and feedback for midwives from superiors may indicate that SV prevalence is undervalued. Fear of being blamed is of concern to midwives after an adverse event, even in cases where there is no blame.
OBJECTIVES:
To describe the prevalence, awareness and experiences related to SV phenomenon among Estonian midwives
METHODS:
This was a nationwide online quantitative survey with pre-validated instrument SeViD-EST (Second Victim Experience and Support Tool Estonian version) among midwives. The participants were recruited through the professional associations, media and via social media platforms, data were collected using the REDCap platform from April-June 2025. The data was analyzed using the SPSS program.
RESULTS:
In the survey 80 midwives responded. This makes approximately 15% of midwives practicing in Estonia (n=523). The prevalence of second victim phenomenon among Estonian midwives was 72%. 85% of midwives indicated that health care organizations provide inadequate support coping with medical errors.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study will provide the knowledge of the prevalence and symptoms of SV in Estonia. Based on that the evidence-based recommendations to develop the SV support system on national level will be provided.
KEY MESSAGE:
The desired healthcare is one where midwives are resilient and mutually supportive and supported before, during and after adverse events. Effective support programs into health care can reduce patient related error. Poster session 4 (Group B)
Patient safety is a framework of organized activities and it aims: lower risks, reduce the occurrence of avoidable harm, make error less likely and reduce its impact when it does occur. A second victim (SV) in health care is defined as any health care worker, directly or indirectly involved in an unanticipated adverse patient event, unintentional healthcare error, or patient injury and becomes victimized in the sense that they are negatively impacted. It is known that birthing unit midwives report higher SV scores than their primary care colleagues and obstetricians. Lower level of support and feedback for midwives from superiors may indicate that SV prevalence is undervalued. Fear of being blamed is of concern to midwives after an adverse event, even in cases where there is no blame.
OBJECTIVES:
To describe the prevalence, awareness and experiences related to SV phenomenon among Estonian midwives
METHODS:
This was a nationwide online quantitative survey with pre-validated instrument SeViD-EST (Second Victim Experience and Support Tool Estonian version) among midwives. The participants were recruited through the professional associations, media and via social media platforms, data were collected using the REDCap platform from April-June 2025. The data was analyzed using the SPSS program.
RESULTS:
In the survey 80 midwives responded. This makes approximately 15% of midwives practicing in Estonia (n=523). The prevalence of second victim phenomenon among Estonian midwives was 72%. 85% of midwives indicated that health care organizations provide inadequate support coping with medical errors.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study will provide the knowledge of the prevalence and symptoms of SV in Estonia. Based on that the evidence-based recommendations to develop the SV support system on national level will be provided.
KEY MESSAGE:
The desired healthcare is one where midwives are resilient and mutually supportive and supported before, during and after adverse events. Effective support programs into health care can reduce patient related error. Poster session 4 (Group B)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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