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This initial article delves into the methodology, methods and theories, while the subsequent article will centre on the discoveries, discussion and conclusion. The study aimed to address the research question: how do men perceive their engagement in the self-management of non-cancer-related lymphoedema? An interpretivist qualitative methodology was employed, utilising an online survey based on the validated lymphoedema quality of life tool (LYMQoL). The data underwent inductive narrative inquiry. The study incorporated theories such as hegemonic masculinity and the health, illness, men and masculinities (HIMM) framework. The findings will be detailed in the second article in this series. This article has delineated the objective, methodologyand methods, employing a qualitative interpretivist approach through narrative inquiry. The study incorporated masculinity theories, including hegemonic masculinity and HIMM. The second article will present the findings and their significance within the broader literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Department of Health and Social Care has recently reiterated its commitment to improvement in the quality of end-of-life care and emphasised the importance of all patients having rapid access to medication. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of clinical nurse specialists who are able to prescribe independently in their role in providing support for patients with palliative care needs within the community setting. Interpretive phenomenology was employed in order to understand and interpret the experiences of six nurse independent prescribers employed as community palliative care clinical nurse specialists. This purposive sampling was preferred with semi-structured interviews as the most appropriate data collection technique. This is the first of a two-part article. In this part, the authors describe how the study was undertaken. Part 2 will provide the results, outline the key themes that were extracted from the study, and discuss them. It will be published in the next issue of the Journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on participants' experiences of facilitating advanced care planning (ACP) conversations in their clinical practice following an ACP study day. NHS Education for Scotland commissioned an educational package to be delivered by designated facilitators across all health boards in Scotland as part of the implementation of 'Living and Dying Well in Scotland' (2008). The reported impact of this programme on the practice of six nurses is the focus of this paper. Six nurses from both community (n=3) and acute care settings (n=3 ) were interviewed on a one-to-one basis 10-12 months after attendance at an ACP study day. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a comparative approach to thematic analysis. The training was found to have increased participants' awareness of ACP, validated their knowledge and skills, and in turn had a positive impact on their clinical practice. However, some barriers to providing this approach were identified, including time, planning and resource constraints. Educational programmes can be beneficial and impact on clinical care. However, education is only one way to encourage ACP in health care. The complex and transactional nature of ACP should be recognised, alongside the need to pace conversations about ACP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]