Surgeon perception and attitude towards the moral imperative of institutionally addressing second-victim syndrome in surgery.

Surgical errors have the potential to result in severe negative consequences for patients, thereby increasing the likelihood that surgical staff making an error will experience significant emotional and psychological distress known as second victim syndrome (SVS). In this study, surgeons and surgical residents reported that experiencing SVS is inevitable. Healthcare institutions, therefore, have a moral imperative to support providers following adverse surgical outcomes. Additionally, discussion and review of adverse events must remain confidential, privileged, and inadmissible in possible legal actions.