Second victim: translation of the international consensus-based definition using the Delphi method

Introduction Since its inception in 2000 the notion of the second victim has undergone significant expansions and was recently internationally reconceptualized. So far there is no unified German definition of the term second victim. This study aims to establish a consensus-based German translation of the current English definition of the term second victim to lay the groundwork for a widespread understanding and to facilitate comparability of research conducted on the subject. Method The consensus-based translation was carried out using the Delphi method. A total of 11 German-speaking experts from Germany, Austria and Switzerland with relevant publications were invited and 3 Delphi rounds were planned. Results Out of the 11 invited experts 9 participated in the study. The translation of the international definition of a second victim was achieved through 3 Delphi rounds with a consensus rate of 90%. A second victim is thus defined as: "Jede Fachkraft im Gesundheitswesen, die direkt oder indirekt an einem unerwarteten unerw & uuml;nschten Patientenereignis, einem unbeabsichtigten Fehler in der Gesundheitsversorgung oder einer Patientensch & auml;digung beteiligt ist und die zur betroffenen Person wird, indem sie ebenfalls beeintr & auml;chtigt ist". Discussion With the present Delphi study, for the first time a German language evidence-based definition of the term second victim was formally agreed upon by recognized experts in the field. This establishes a foundation for a clear understanding of the term in Germany and contributes to a common basis for the discussion and exploration of the second victim phenomenon in the German-speaking region.