MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool for Recovery (SVEST-R) questionnaire was utilized to conduct an anonymous survey on the healthcare providers in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) from August to October 2018.
RESULTS: A total of 482 respondents participated in the survey and 46.1% of the respondents reported SVE following their involvement in PSIs. Notably, symptoms such as flashbacks, fear, and stress tend to persist for longer durations compared to other symptoms. It is worth noting that non-work-related support received the highest mean (medical doctors = 3.83; nurses = 3.70), indicating that respondents preferred to seek emotional support from their friends and families. Furthermore, nurses reported a significantly higher experience of absenteeism following PSIs than doctors (p=0.003). In addition, most respondents expressed a desire for discussion or counselling with a respected peer or supervisor following their involvement in PSIs.
CONCLUSION: Present study reported a relatively high prevalence of SVE among healthcare providers at SGH. Hence, proactive measures, including non-work related and supervisor support, are essential in facilitating their overall well-being and successful recovery.