To Err Is Human, but What Happens When Surgeons Err?

Topic overview

The notion of “perfectionism” is common among physicians [1–3]. However, medical errors have been found to be the third leading cause of death in the United States [4]. Physicians who have made a medical mistake may experience guilt, shame, anxiety, and fear [5–8]. This distress and self-doubt experienced after an adverse event, medical error, or unanticipated negative patient outcome is known as “second victim syndrome” [9, 10]. “Second victims” can be physicians, nurses, or other personnel who suffer distress from being involved in a medical error or poor outcome.

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