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PURPOSE: To describe the patient's experience of participation in their care when admitted for elective surgical procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A purposive sample of 14 patients who had undergone elective surgery was included in semi-structured individual interviews at a university hospital. The data was analysed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS: One theme was identified: Creating a meaningful relationship to enable participation in the care, based on three categories; Abilities, willingness, and a lack of experience affect participation, A professional approach with an open communication and individualized information, and The importance of structural factors.

CONCLUSIONS: To meet the patient's individual needs and wishes regarding participation, meaningful relationships need to be created between patient and healthcare personnel. The results also indicate that the patients have insufficient knowledge about their role regarding participation. To improve patient participation, its meaning needs to be clarified individually to the patient, emphasizing the importance to be active involved in his or her own care.