Current Research Status of the Second Victim Phenomenon in Medical Adverse Events and Prospects for Building a Localized Support System

The second victim phenomenon represents a pervasive yet long-overlooked occupational trauma in medical adverse events. Since the introduction of the "second victim" concept, international research has accumulated substantial theoretical and practical experience. However, China started late in this field and still faces multiple challenges, including cognitive biases, institutional deficiencies, and resource constraints. This article systematically reviews the conceptual evolution of the second victim, the phased model of psychological recovery, and its multidimensional impacts, while thoroughly analyzing the unique contributing factors of this phenomenon within China's healthcare context. On this basis, and drawing on international experience, we propose a "three-tier precision support system" tailored to China's local circumstances—encompassing universal prevention, selective intervention, and targeted treatment—and construct implementation pathways and safeguarding mechanisms across three dimensions: policy support, institutional implementation, and individual capacity building. This framework is intended to serve as a reference for establishing a localized support system that balances patient safety with the well-being of healthcare professionals.