The concept of health professionals being the 'second victim' of medical mistakes is being increasingly recognized. We'd like to draw readers' attention to two programs in the United States. The first is Medically Induced Trauma Support Services (www.mitss.org) which provides help to clinicians and family who have been affected by an adverse medical event. The second is a program started by a registered nurse, Sue Scott, at the University of Missouri (http://www.muhealth.org/ForYou). Launched in 2009, the program helps health care workers recover from a traumatic clinical event or an unexpected patient death.

I know every situation is different, but I think what that nurse said about realizing she was not alone is very powerful. Except in rare cases, when something happens it's an honest and regrettable mistake. And while our organizations might want to read us the riot act, and the College might punish us, there is something strong in at least having one organization that might not say "we'll support you in your mess" but rather "we still think you're a good person who made a mistake, and we can help you realize you aren't alone".

Nurses who screw up generally feel horrible guilt, and the College and people make it worse. But just to be able to talk to someone and understand that it does happen seems like it would be powerful and empowering. Take away the guilt, think about the problem. Support nurses to change the practice that caused them to mess up. I don't know. I just think what she said is very real.

You are definitely not alone when you make a mistake but people will try very hard to make you feel like you are.

Just to answer the question of the prevsioiu poster, you can find it on amazon here http://www.amazon.ca/After-Error-Speaking-Patient-ebook/dp/B00BAH7XFC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1382144729&sr=1-1&keywords=after+the+error and on the Sony Store here https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/susan-mciver/after-the-error/_/R-400000000000001002541