Table 1 Overview of categories and themes. Categories present the important aspects for students’ learning, i.e. what supervisors do and talk about, and themes are an interpretation of them expressing the underlying meaning of the categories

Students performing by themselves:

Allowing the students their independence

 Trust

 Knowing students and learning outcomes

 Advising, discussing

 Following up

Students’ learning:

Pedagogical challenges

 Stepping back/taking over

 Guiding

 Students on different levels

Supervisors presence:

Being there for the students

 Standing behind and beside

 Communication

 Collaboration between supervisors

Patient participation:

Applying patient-centredness

 Supervisors knowing the patients

 Active/passive patient participation

Patient safety:

 Knowing student’s ability and patient’s needs

 Following routines and guidelines