‘Figuring this out as you go’: Emergency Medicine research supervisors’ perceptions of their supervisory role

Background. Since the advent of the compulsory research component for the MMed degree, concerns have been raised regarding its effect on research output and clinical service delivery. Specialist physicians are tasked with supervising MMed students despite ever-increasing workloads. However, the challenges faced by research supervisors in the emerging field of Emergency Medicine in the South African (SA) context remain largely unexplored.Objective. To explore the experiences of research supervisors in the Emergency Medicine MMed programme at two SA universities.Methods. This study was situated within an interpretivist paradigm. Research supervisors in the Emergency Medicine MMed programmes at Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews conducted either in person or online. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.Results. Ten participants with varying levels of research supervision experience were interviewed. Four main themes were identified: (i) the process of becoming a research supervisor; (ii) understanding their role as a research supervisor; (iii) the practice of a research supervisor; and (iv) the supervisory environment. Participants highlighted challenges such as impostor syndrome, the obligation to grow the field of Emergency Medicine and the need to instil a sense of lifelong learning in their students. Research supervisors also expressed a desire for better preparation and support in their roles.Conclusion. Understanding the lived experiences of research supervisors within the MMed programme may inform the preparation and support of future supervisors. Faculty development, improved guidelines and structured research outcomes may strengthen the research capabilities of new specialists, ultimately enhancing postgraduate research training.