when an adverse event befalls a patient, who are the “second victims” according to dr. albert wu?

Dr. Albert Wu is a physician and researcher who has studied the impact of adverse events in healthcare for more than two decades. In that time, he has come to believe that there are “second victims” when an event such as medical error befalls a patient – those who are impacted by the event but not directly involved in it- including friends, family members, and even coworkers. He also argues that these second victims can suffer from psychological distress just like patients themselves do after experiencing an adverse event.

Dr. Wu contends that in many ways, the impact of these events is as traumatic to those who are not directly involved with them and can be just as long-lasting or even more so. He also hopes that research into this type will lead to a better understanding of how we can help second victims cope with their pain and grief following an event such as medical error.

This blog post was written by Emily Brady on behalf of her employer, Dr. Albert Wu. It does not represent the views or opinions for any other organization including but not limited to Harvard University Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital Department Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency Training Program .

The information contained within should NOT be construed or used as medical advice. If you are currently experiencing health problems, it is recommended that you seek a qualified physician for diagnosis and treatment.

The second victims of an adverse event befalling a patient can include those who were not directly involved with them but can still be just as long-lasting or even more so. Dr. Albert Wu hopes research into this topic will lead to better understanding of how we can help the second victims cope with their pain and grief following an event such as medical error which could result in improved care for both patients and providers. This article was written by Emily Brady on behalf of her employer, Dr. Wu; it does not represent the views or opinions of any other organization including but not limited to Harvard University Medical School, Children’s Hospital Boston, or the Harvard School of Public Health.

*Note: Dr. Albert Wu is not a doctor at Children’s Hospital]

Dr. Wu has worked as an emergency physician and pediatrician for over 20 years in both academic hospitals and community practices. He is currently Vice Chair of Medical Student Education at Harvard University Medical School, Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Residency Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, Chief Physician-in-Charge/Medical Director for Mass Gator Society EMS District A (Southeast MA) and resident faculty member in Pediatrics Division of Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Committee at the Marchiano Family Foundation COI office with Mass Gator society; he also serves on various committees within these institutions that improve patient care and safety, including the Pediatric Quality Improvement Committee at Mass General Hospital.

Dr. Wu has also been recognized with numerous awards for his research in the area of medical errors – these include the 2008 American Medical Association’s Young Member Award and 2007 James W. Curley Professional Development Grant from Harvard Medical School Department of Social Medicine – both awarded for work investigating how clinicians experience medical mistakes; a 2002 Massachusetts Institute of Technology TR35 Award as one of 35 young innovators that year who “have demonstrated exceptional ability to advance human welfare by applying new technologies or strategies-or even just by asking different questions”, recognizing Dr. Wu’s groundbreaking study on “second victims” which was published in renowned peer reviewed journal BMJ (2002); and, most notably, the 2001 Harvard Medical School Meyerhoff Award.

dr. albert wu has been an active member of numerous committees for national organizations including the American College of Emergency Physicians Council on Research and Education in Clinical Care; Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine committee; National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Advisory Committee in NIH/National Institutes of Health; Board Member at Hennepin County Medical Center Foundation since 2014

Second victims: when a patient experiences adverse events due to medical errors – their loved ones are also affected by this event as they experience secondary trauma or PTSD from witnessing what happened during that time – it’s not a one way street but rather there is much research being done to explore how to care for the second victims

Research on secondary trauma: it has been discovered that there may be a high correlation between PTSD and adverse events due to medical errors – in particular, research has shown that when parents witness a parent being harmed medically, they are likely to experience symptoms of Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder (STSD) which ranges from guilt; fear; anger; anxiety among others. Research is still ongoing but some organizations such as Consumer Reports have started initiatives with hospitals whereby physicians will meet one-on-one with family members after an error occurs so as not only help them cope but also answer their questions about what happened during the event. This initiative isn’t just limited to those who were present at the time of injury or error but also those in the waiting room who watched their loved one experience it.

Key Points:

There is a high correlation between PTSD and adverse events due to medical errors, especially when parents witness an injury or error on a parent. Research has shown that even if they are not present at the time of injury or error, watching someone else undergo it can cause Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder (STSD).

Consumer Reports have started initiatives with hospitals whereby physicians will meet one-on-one with family members after an event occurs so as not only help them cope but answer their questions about what happened during the event. This initiative isn’t just limited to those who were present at the time of injury or error, but also to those who witness it even remotely.

Both physical and mental health is adversely affected by STSD, but the effects are not long-term because a good coping strategy can help them move on with their lives after the incident has occurred.

What’s Next: Dr. Albert Wu was interviewed for this article and he provides insight about his research as well as what should be done to deal with these adverse events that happen in hospitals. The interviewee also shares how loved ones of patients experience secondary traumatic stress disorder regardless if they were present at time of injury or error due to medical errors–even just watching someone else undergo an event causes trauma so being proactive about helping people cope should become routine protocol for doctors and other professionals involved in healthcare. You can learn more about Dr. Albert Wu and his research on secondary traumatic stress disorder by viewing the article “Who are the ‘Second Victims’ according to Dr. Albert Wu?” Sorry, this is not a linkable URL. What’s Next: The interviewee also shares how loved ones of patients experience secondary traumatic stress disorder regardless if they were present at time of injury or error due to medical errors–even just watching someone else undergo an event causes trauma so being proactive about helping people cope should become routine protocol for doctors and other professionals involved in healthcare. You can learn more about Dr. Albert Wu and his research on secondary traumatic stress disorder by viewing the article “Who are the ‘Second Victims’ according to Dr. Albert