Abstract
Patients have a legal right to participate in care as well as in the decision-making affecting their care in most Western countries. However, this is not only a matter of legal right as research has indicated that treatment outcome may be improved if patients experience greater participation. The aim of this Swedish study was to describe how patients experience their participation in care and various factors that have an influence on their participation. Data were collected by interviews with eight inpatients at a surgical ward. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Through phenomenological analysis, meaning units were organized into themes and the essence of each theme was formulated. The experience of participation in care was expressed in the following three themes: a need for dialogue, continuity in contact with the staff and control. The essence of participation was the desire on the patient's part of a continuous dialogue with the caregiver in order to exchange information. According to the patients, lack of time among the caregivers reduced the possibility to maintain a dialogue. The need of control could compel the patient to participate in the care situation.