# Translation and psychometric validation of the Finnish version of the revised second victim experience and support tool: a pilot study

## TL;DR

This study translated and validated a tool to assess healthcare professionals affected by unintentional harm in Finland, finding it reliable and valid for use.

## Contribution

The study provides a validated Finnish version of the SVEST-R tool for assessing second victim experiences in healthcare professionals.

## Key findings

- The Finnish version of SVEST-R showed good model fit and strong psychometric properties.
- Internal consistency and construct validity were confirmed with acceptable statistical values.
- Low sample size and some low item loadings suggest the need for further validation.

## Abstract

Unintentional healthcare harm can also affect involved healthcare professionals making them the second victims. Second victims are found to exhibit several physical and psychological symptoms which affect their personal, social and professional lives. The revised version of the second victim experience and support tool (SVEST-R) has been widely acknowledged given its use to assess second victim experiences among healthcare professionals.

To translate the revised second victim experience and support tool into Finnish and test the psychometric properties and feasibility of the Finnish version (FI-SVEST-R).

A cross-sectional online survey was adopted. This study adheres to the STROBE reporting guidelines.

The tool was translated into Finnish using forward and backward translation which was evaluated by the expert panel including its cultural appropriateness. An online survey was conducted among Finnish healthcare professionals in two different university hospitals between September 2022 and April 2023 to assess the comprehensibility of the questions, response options and feasibility of the tool. The confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for construct validity, and internal consistency was examined.

A total of n = 145 healthcare professionals participated in the study. Results showed a good model fit for the nine-factor structure with 35 items. Root mean squared error of approximation (0.067), comparative fit index (0.895), and Tucker-Lewis index values (0.880) suggested a good model fit. McDonald’s Omega ranged from 0.755 to 0.909, with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.789 to 0.934, whereas factor loadings for all items ranged from 0.390 to 0.970.

The Finnish version of the revised second victim experience and support tool (FI-SVEST-R) was proven to be a valid and reliable tool with strong psychometric properties during the pilot testing. Thus, it can be used to evaluate the extent of the second victim phenomenon and available support resources in Finnish healthcare. It could also be used to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of support programmes. However, due to the relatively low sample size and low factor loadings of a few items, further validation studies are required.

FI-SVEST-R can provide an option for the quantitative measurement of the problem related to second victim distress and available support resources in Finland.

Not applicable.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12912-025-03396-z.