The second victim phenomenon in medical practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists: the SeViMa study for Malta

To determine the prevalence, distribution, symptom burden, and recovery patterns of the second victim phenomenon (SVP) among healthcare professionals in Malta and to assess demographic, workplace, cultural, and personality-related correlates of SVP risk and symptom severity.

This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a questionnaire that incorporated the English translation of the Second Victims in German-speaking countries (SeViD) instrument, the Big Five Inventory-10, and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was sent to all registered medical practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists in Malta. Analyses examined associations between SVP status/symptom load and professional group, demographic variables, workplace characteristics, and personality traits.

The prevalence of SVP was 77.7% among medical practitioners, 69.8% among nurses, and 42.3% among pharmacists. Triggers included patient death, patient harm, and aggression. Emotional and cognitive symptoms predominated, particularly intrusive recollections, self-doubt, and concentration difficulties. Prolonged symptoms were reported by 18.9% of medical practitioners, 14.7% of nurses, and 11.0% of pharmacists. Risk factors differed by profession: fewer years of experience predicted a higher symptom load in medical practitioners; older age increased risk in nurses while experience was protective; and female gender, non-Maltese nationality, and community pharmacy setting were associated with higher symptom severity among pharmacists. Personality traits did not predict SVP status but were associated with symptom severity.

SVP is significant in Malta, with profession-specific risk profiles and a substantial symptom burden. Informal support predominates, highlighting the need for structured, targeted measures to reduce SVP impacts across professional groups.