Ethics approval and consent to participate
The study protocol and aim were submitted for evaluation by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board and a letter of exemption from requiring ethics approval was granted by this Ethics committee on the basis that the study fell under a quality assurance initiative. We confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. First-year students in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University were invited to participate by email and an explanation of the survey, along with its purpose, was provided. Students were informed that the survey was optional and anonymous and that they would consent to be included by submitting the questionnaires. No incentives were offered for participation. Each study participant was given a unique identification number. Only the participants’ identification number was included on the database. All data was stored in password protected computer files.