Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41430098›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of emergency medicine2025

Second victims among emergency medical dispatchers in Germany: a cross-sectional study (SeViD-VII).

Victoria Klemm, Reinhard Strametz, Thomas Neusius, Matthias Raspe, Rafael Trautmann, Marc Gistrichovsky, Rainer Petzina, Stefan Bushuven, Hartwig Marung

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of emergency medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Victoria KlemmDepartment of Internal Medicine, Speciality Network: Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany. victoria.klemm@hs-rm.de.
Reinhard StrametzWiesbaden Institute for Healthcare Economics and Patient Safety (WiHelP), RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, Bleichstraße 44, 65183, Wiesbaden, Germany.
Thomas NeusiusWiesbaden Institute for Healthcare Economics and Patient Safety (WiHelP), RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, Bleichstraße 44, 65183, Wiesbaden, Germany.
Matthias RaspeDepartment of Internal Medicine, Speciality Network: Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
Rafael TrautmannGerman Society of Paramedic Science (DGRe e.V.), Weststraße 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
Marc GistrichovskyControl Centers Association (FVLST e.V.), Blomberger Weg 60, 32657, Lemgo, Germany.
Rainer PetzinaDepartment Health Sciences, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany.
Stefan BushuvenTraining Center for Emergency Medicine (NOTIS e.V.), Vilstalstraße 26A, 87459, Pfronten, Germany.
Hartwig MarungDepartment Health Sciences, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEmergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) play a critical role in coordinating emergency responses while being remotely exposed to distressing incidents. The Second Victim Phenomenon (SVP) refers to emotional distress experienced by healthcare professionals following adverse events; however, its prevalence and impact among EMDs remain poorly understood. This study examines the prevalence, symptom burden, and support preferences related to SVP among EMDs in Germany.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted using the validated SeViD-questionnaire, supplemented with demographic items. The survey assessed SVP prevalence, symptom severity, and preferred support measures. A web-based survey was distributed via professional networks. Descriptive statistics summarized sample characteristics and binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of SVP and symptom burden.

resultsAmong 407 respondents, 315 completed the questionnaire (completion rate: 78%). More than half (62.2%) of participating EMDs identified as Second Victims, despite limited prior awareness of the phenomenon. Traumatic events such as patient deaths or suicides and aggressive behavior were central triggers. SVP was linked to symptoms including emotional strain and difficulties concentrating, with neuroticism associated with greater symptom load (p = 0.02). Binary logistic regression suggested that higher scores of the personality trait openness and professional experience increase SVP risk (p < 0.01). Although many affected EMDs refrained from seeking help, those who did often relied on their friends and family for support. Immediate time off, structured debriefing, and professional counseling emerged as the most valued support strategies.

conclusionsSVP is highly prevalent among EMDs, highlighting the need for targeted support strategies. Raising awareness, integrating SVP education into dispatcher training, and establishing accessible psychological support programs are essential to improve well-being and resilience in this professional group.

Indexed as

Emergency medical dispatchersEmotional distressOccupational healthPatient safetyPsychological distressSecond victim

Identifiers

PMID41430098
PMCPMC12838509

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.