Curricula on patient safety and the second victim phenomenon

Abstract

Patient safety and the second victim phenomenon are critical concerns in healthcare systems across Europe. This white paper, developed by the European Researchers’ Network Working on Second Victims (ERNST) under COST Action CA 19113, seeks to address these issues by providing a comprehensive analysis of current educational curricula and the barriers and facilitators to integrating patient safety and the second victim phenomenon into healthcare training programs. Through qualitative research involving 24 countries and input from healthcare education leaders, this white paper reveals significant gaps in existing curricula, particularly regarding the second victim phenomenon, which is often underrepresented or misunderstood. The findings highlight the need for a paradigm shift from a blame-centric culture to one that promotes systems thinking and resilience, focusing on the systemic nature of errors rather than individual culpability. This white paper emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, continuous professional development, and innovative teaching methods to better equip healthcare professionals with the skills needed to manage patient safety and support second victims effectively. The recommendations provided aim to guide healthcare institutions, educators, and policymakers in implementing these changes to improve the overall quality of care and safety in European healthcare systems.