Participants were assured of the confidentiality of the information they provided and that their anonymity
would be ensured in any reports emanating from the study. The identity of students who took part was not disclosed to other participants or to the wider studentcohort. It was recognized that students might become distressed during an interview if they recounted incidents that had proved stressful. Students were offered the opportunity to talk through any issues with the first author after the interview should they so wish. In the event,although some students recounted difficult situations, no students took up this opportunity.