Simulation as an Element of Second Victim Recovery Programs Following Patient Safety Incidents: A Scoping Review

Health professionals impacted by patient safety incidents are referred to as 'second victims'. The aim of this review was to map available information on second victim recovery programs for nurses following a patient safety incident which employs education and training via simulation methodology. A scoping review was undertaken with a literature search conducted between 2021 and 2023 using the CINAHL (EBSCO), MEDLINE, ProQuest (Nursing), EMBASE (Ovid), Scopus, ERIC, Web of Science, PubMed and PsycINFO (OVID) databases and included reference lists. A total of six papers were included. Simulation methods were used in the training of peer responders, with no papers discussing the use of formal educative approaches or simulation in support programs for second victims. Some evidence identified denoted recovery elements in second victims. More evidence is required to classify the recovery status of second victims and to understand the appropriateness of educative approaches in second victim support programs, specifically the role of simulation and it's potential to positively influence learners’ skills, emotions, and ability to reflect constructively on past patient safety incidents.