Hello everybody, we are the group “The European Researchers’ Network Working on Second Victims”, acronym ERNST, COST action CA19113. The overall aim of this action is to facilitate discussion and share scientific knowledge, perspectives, legislation and rules, and best practices concerning AEs in healthcare institutions, to implement joint efforts to support second victims, and to introduce an open dialogue and discussion among stakeholders about the consequences of the second victim phenomenon based on a cross-national collaboration that integrates different disciplines and approaches, including legal, educational, professional, and socio-economic perspectives.

How did the idea of creating an international network on second victims come about? The germ of this European project was conceived at a meeting held on 19 and 20 July 2018 in Alicante (Spain). Some of the leaders of the Working Groups of the current ERNST and members of the Spanish team participated in this initial meeting. A technician from the Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO) also attended and was in charge of presenting the conditions and requirements of the Call COST 2019. The sea and the healthy local food (black rice, “arroz a banda”, and seasonal fruit) were the keys to two days of intense brain work. Here are the fruits of those productive days!

After this initial meeting, the first meeting of the Management Committee was held in September, 15th with the participation of 40 members of this management structure of COST Action, although it was online,(not by the sea this time) with that entails, all went quite satisfactory. The following meeting took place on November, 5th attended by the Core Group and there some strategies were adopted.

Today, the ERSNT integrates 46 research teams from 27 european countries plus researchers leader on this topic from USA and Japan. Also, 3 research teams from Latin American countries as observer participants. A total of 75 professionals from healthcare institutions, universities and research institutes across the world.

In this first trimester of 2021 we began our activities marked by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health systems and society as a whole. Our approach to caring for those who care for patients becomes more meaningful when we consider the healthcare workforce as the second victim of SARS-CoV-2.

We hope to engage more people during the action. Continue knowing more about this international action in the following news. If you would like to contact us do not hesitate and send us an email.

Many thanks for your support!