This study aimed to describe the types of psychological and physical symptoms experienced by healthcare professionals who became second victims after a patient safety incident and the impact of the incident on their social and professional lives.
Scoping review.
JBI methodology for scoping reviews and PRISMA-ScR for reporting were followed.
The search was conducted on June 13, 2024, using the CINAHL (EBSCO), Scopus, PubMed (Medline), Medic and PsycInfo (EBSCO) databases. A grey literature search was also conducted.
A total of 96 papers were included. Healthcare professionals experienced psychological symptoms such as anger, sadness and guilt after a safety incident. Physical symptoms were reported, including symptoms related to sleep and gastrointestinal symptoms. At the professional and social levels, the incident affected their work, relationships and well-being. Positive impacts were also noted.
This study provides a comprehensive overview of healthcare professionals' experiences after safety incidents. In addition, this study also captured the positive impacts of safety incidents, such as learning from mistakes.
By recognising the symptoms and impacts associated with the second victim syndrome, appropriate support can be provided for healthcare professionals.
The findings of this study can be used to identify the relevant harm to professionals after a safety incident, which could help to improve the well-being of these workers.
No patient or public contribution.
Open Science Framework, https://archive.org/details/osf-registrations-5cdmu-v1
To (1) analyse managers' experiences with handling patient safety incident reports in an incident reporting software, identifying key challenges; (2) analyse the incident report processes from the managers' perspective; (3) examine managers' perceptions of ways to support and improve health professionals' experiences of report-handling processes; and (4) investigate how, from their point of view, incident reporting software should be developed in the future.
A descriptive qualitative study.
Interviews and focus group discussions on Microsoft Teams from 11/2024 to 3/2025, including 16 participants, analysis with deductive and inductive content analysis.
Of 16 participants, 15 were managers and one was a patient safety expert. Most were nurse managers (n = 9). Four discussion themes were divided into 30 categories. Participants highlighted the need to improve the reporting software's terminology, classification and analysis tools. The use of artificial intelligence was desired but not currently integrated into the software. Participants were unsure of their skills to use all the software features. Clear and transparent handling processes, feedback, managers' behaviour and communication methods were seen as key to improving staff's experience with report processes. A real-time warning system was considered beneficial for various incident types. Specific questions must be answered before further developing such systems.
This study deepened the understanding of reporting software's challenges regarding its handling features. The handling processes of incident reports had multiple shortcomings, which may negatively affect health professionals' experiences in report handling. Real-time warning systems could assist healthcare managers in processing reports.
Organisational-level guidance for incident report processing is needed. Improvements to report processing and reporting software can improve shared learning and understanding of the status of patient safety.
No patient or public contribution.
COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research Checklist.
Virtual scholarly events play an increasing role in doctoral education, particularly in nursing. The PhD Virtual Connect-event has been held annually for the past decade, evolving as a platform for engagement, knowledge exchange and professional development. However, its potential as a structured virtual Community of Practice remains underexplored.
This study explores the experiences of PhD students participating in the 9th and 10th editions (2023 and 2024) of the Sigma Theta Tau European Region's PhD Virtual Connect, examining how they perceive its alignment with Community of Practice principles and its role in doctoral nursing education.
A qualitative, open-ended survey was administered to the event participants who presented their studies across both editions, with responses being analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, followed by a comparative discussion of findings.
A total of 36 participants answered the survey. The analysis identified four key themes: developing a scholarly identity, reciprocity in feedback, structuring engagement and broadening research perspectives. Participants highlighted the event's role in strengthening academic confidence and fostering a sense of belonging. A shift towards peer-driven feedback and structured engagement in 2024 reflected increasing demand for organised discussions and thematic breakout sessions. These findings support the event's function as a dynamic Community of Practice, where participants co-construct knowledge, refine collaborative processes and navigate interdisciplinary learning.
The PhD Virtual Connect fosters scholarly engagement, mentorship and interdisciplinary exchange as an evolving virtual Community of Practice. While it sustains meaningful academic interaction, addressing digital inequities, enhancing interactive elements and formalising mentorship structures will be key to ensuring long-term inclusivity and engagement. Future research should examine the long-term impact of the virtual Community of Practice on academic career trajectories and professional networking in doctoral education.
No Patient or Public Contribution. This study focused on PhD nursing students' experiences in a virtual scholarly event, involving only academic participants. As it was not a healthcare intervention or service-related study, patient or public involvement was not applicable.
To describe the challenges related to the flow of medication information in home care, their contributing factors, and home care registered nurses' and nurse leaders' views on preventing them.
A descriptive qualitative study.
Six group and one individual semi-structured interview were conducted remotely with 15 home care registered nurses and nurse leaders between 12 February 2023 and 9 November 2023 in Finland. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
We identified four main themes related to the challenges of medication information flow: the complexity of home care work in cooperation and the medication process, technology-related challenges, the healthcare professionals' individual factors and client-related challenges. These factors contributed to the challenges: the lack of healthcare professionals' resources, the healthcare professionals' attitudes to work and individual characteristics, the lack of healthcare professionals' uniform practices and client-related factors. Preventing challenges and incidents: strengthening standard healthcare practices, increasing healthcare resources, improving the individual factors of healthcare professionals, and guiding the client in the management of medication.
The medication information flow can be improved by discussing standard practices for the flow of medication information in home care and between home care and hospital teams.
It is crucial to identify challenges, contributing factors and prevention in the medication information flow from the home care registered nurses' and nurse leaders' perspective. These elements play an important role in developing medication information flow by collaborating extensively with other healthcare providers, clients, and relatives.
Healthcare professionals, nurse leaders, and educators can utilise this study's findings to develop the flow of medication information within and between organisations.
The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used.
No patient or public contribution.
To identify and synthesise recommendations and guidelines for mental health chatbot conversational design.
Integrative review.
Suitable publications presenting recommendations or guidelines for mental health conversational design were included. The quality of included publications was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. Thematic analysis was conducted.
Primary searches limited to last 10 years were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ACM Digital Library and EBSCO databases including APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, APA PsycArticles and MEDLINE in February 2023 and updated in October 2023. A secondary search was conducted in Google Scholar in May 2023.
Of 1684 articles screened, 16 publications were selected. Three overarching themes were developed: (1) explicit knowledge about chatbot design and domain, (2) knowing your audience and (3) creating a safe space to engage. Results highlight that creating pleasant and effective conversations with a mental health chatbot requires careful and professional planning in advance, defining the target group and working together with it to address its needs and preferences. It is essential to emphasise the pleasant user experience and safety from both technical and psychological perspectives.
Recommendations for mental health chatbot conversational design have evolved and become more specific in recent years. Recommendations set high standards for mental health chatbots. To meet that, co-design, explicit knowledge of the user needs, domain and conversational design is needed.
Mental health professionals participating in chatbot development can utilise this review. The results can also inform technical development teams not involving healthcare professionals directly.
Knowledge of developing mental health chatbot conversations appears scattered. In mental health chatbots, features that enhance the chatbot's ability to meet users' needs and increase safety should be considered. This review is useful for developers of mental health chatbots and other health applications used independently.
This integrative review was reported according to PRISMA guidelines, as applicable.
No patient or public contribution.