Revelations of the Second Victim Syndrome Research: A Bibliometric Analysis of Publications in the Field Over the Past Two Decades

Abstract

Healthcare practitioners distressed by patient safety incidents are referred to as "second victims" and may develop a condition known as "second victim syndrome". A bibliometric analysis of two decades of literature mapped the research landscape of second victim syndrome. The publications on the second victim syndrome in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) were identified and subjected to a thorough analysis utilizing visualization tools such as VOS Viewer and Cite Space. A comprehensive analysis of the WOSCC revealed a total of 299 academic articles spanning the timeframe from 2000 to 2024. The leading contributors in terms of publications were identified as the United States (n=106), China (n=18), and Italy (n=17). Researchers in United States are at the forefront of global research on second victim syndrome, while researchers from other countries have also intensified their focus and investigations into the issue. Relevant studies underscore the negative consequences of medical errors and adverse events on the emotional well-being of individuals affected as second victims. There is a noticeable trend for the research on second victim syndrome to shift its focus from medical errors and emotional impacts towards highlighting the importance of peer support, professional support, and an increased emphasis on quality control and risk management. Through a bibliometric analysis of two decades of publications, this study maps the research landscape of second victim syndrome, providing valuable insights for medical professionals and researchers and highlighting future research directions.

Keywords

Second victim syndrome / Bibliometric analysis / Visualization

References

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