Organizational peer support for second victims in Vienna, Austria: The KoHi-project

Abstract Background Healthcare workers negatively affected by adverse events are known as Second Victims (SV). The Second Victim Phenomenon (SVP) is widespread globally and can result in various consequences, such as anxiety, loss of confidence, and defensive medicine. To address this, the KoHi-project offers organizational peer support for SVs at the Clinic Hietzing (KHI) in Vienna, Austria. Methods A five-hour training program prepared 122 volunteers as peer supporters (KoHis) at KHI. Initial assessment (KoHi-I) in 2019 using the SeViD-questionnaire was followed by a repeat (KoHi-V) in 2022. Additionally, peer supporters underwent quantitative evaluations after training (KoHi-II), each session (KoHi-III), and after three sessions (KoHi-IV). KoHi-I-III were descriptively analyzed, while KoHi-IV and -V await evaluation. Results Initial study showed a 43% SVP prevalence at KHI. Most KoHis joined for ethical reasons and skill improvement, displaying high motivation. Post-training, they reported increased competency in supporting SVs. KoHi-III showed 53.3% of sessions initiated by KoHis, often triggered by personal distress. KoHis rated their support as highly helpful (M = 8.57 on a ten-point Likert-scale) and felt minimal burden (M = 3.42 on a ten-point Likert-scale) afterward. No significant correlations were found. Conclusions SVP is widespread at KHI. The five-hour training adequately prepared KoHis. Underreporting or underutilization of the program is suspected, possibly due to self-stigmatization of SVs. Being a peer supporter appears safe for KoHis. Psychological safety of voluntary supporters should be prioritized in hospital peer support programs. European hospitals lack organizational support for SVs, highlighting the importance of interventions like KoHi. Key messages • The SVP is common among healthcare workers at KHI. • The implemented organizational peer support seems to not negatively impact the voluntary peer supporters’ wellbeing.