A cross-sectional survey on nurses' second victim experience and quality of support resources in Singapore.

AIM: The study aimed to investigate nurses' second victim experience and quality of support resources in Singapore. BACKGROUND: The second victim phenomenon, broadly described as the suffering of providers including nurses in the face of a clinical error, is often overlooked. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was adopted. A total of 1,163 nurses from an acute public hospital in Singapore took part in the study. The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (SVEST) was employed to assess experience of second victims and the quality of support resources. RESULTS: The study results showed that nurses experienced second victim-related physical, psychological and professional distress. About 31.8% of the participants had turnover intentions, while 9.3% had absenteeism following an error. Nurses who are younger and less experienced were more likely to experience greater second victim response. Among the support options, peer support was rated as the most desirable. CONCLUSION: Nurses, being at the forefront of care delivery, are especially susceptible to being a casualty of the second victim phenomenon. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Acknowledging the second victim phenomenon, together with a strong organizational support, is essential in alleviating the trauma and assisting nurses with reconciliation in the aftermath of an unanticipated error.

Investigation of the key determinants of Asian nurses' quality of life.

The study aimed to compare nurses' quality of life and investigate key determinants among Asian countries with different economic status. A cross-sectional survey was conducted across five Asian countries (Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Bhutan). Quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), job stress (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health questionnaire), and demographic data were assessed. Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify the key determinants of quality of life. Participants were 3,829 nurses (response rate: 82%) with a mean age of 33 ± 10 yr and majority were women (92%). Regarding quality of life, Bhutan yielded the highest scores, followed by Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Japan, and these results were statistically significant. The key determinants that were significantly related to quality of life were "stress coping ability," "life satisfaction," "Japan," "social support," "job stress," and "Singapore" (adjusted R2=0.46). In conclusion, nurses' quality of life differs across Asian countries and is not linked to the country's economic development. To maintain a good quality of life for nurses, an international exchange program like international nursing conferences for work environment and staff coping strategies is recommended to broaden institution' minds and share experiences and exchange views to be able to realize their own problems and discover global solutions to them.

Nurses' Perceptions of Psychosocial Care and Barriers to Its Provision: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial care is the culturally sensitive provision of psychological, social, and spiritual care through therapeutic communication. Current evidence suggests that effective psychosocial care improves patients' health outcomes and quality of life. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore nurses' perceptions and experiences in providing psychosocial care to patients and to identify the related barriers and challenges. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative design using semistructured, individual, face-to-face interviews was adopted. A purposive sample of 18 registered nurses was recruited from the geriatric, medical, and surgical wards in an acute general hospital in Singapore. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged: patient-centered care, communication, interprofessional care, and barriers to psychosocial care. Nurses perceived that psychosocial care consists of providing holistic care, spiritual care, support to the patient and family members, and showing empathy. Furthermore, psychosocial care is composed of communication between nurses and the patient and family members as well as communication among nurses. In addition, psychosocial care involves collaboration between healthcare professionals as well as multidisciplinary care. Barriers that are perceived by nurses include lack of time, language barriers, being task-oriented, excessive documentation, lack of family involvement, and fear of complaints. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the perceptions of nurses regarding psychosocial care and the challenges in providing this care. Future studies are needed to explore ways to overcome these barriers and to enhance nurses' competencies in providing psychosocial care. The findings indicate a need to plan future interventions to provide nurses with both skill development and support to improve their ability to integrate psychosocial care, which will improve patient outcomes.