Meanings of participation in care for older people after hip fracture surgery and nurses working in an orthopaedic ward

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to elucidate meanings of participation in care for older people after hip fracture surgery and nurses working in an orthopaedic ward. METHODS: A qualitative phenomenological hermeneutical design was used. We conducted personal interviews with a narrative approach with 11 older people recovering from hip fracture surgery and 12 nurses working in an orthopaedic ward. RESULTS: The results show that for older people, participation meant being a co-creator in their own care, founded on being met with sensitivity and support, being told what is going to happen, taking responsibility and asking questions and being able to influence care. For nurses, patient participation meant meeting the patients’ needs and requests by being open and allowing them to influence care while at the same time recognizing that the patients’ possibility to influence care was limited. CONCLUSION: The study shows that for older people and nurses, the phenomenon of participation has similar meanings but also differences. When older people participate in their care, they become a co-creator in care and confirmed as a person. This highlights the importance of a nurse-patient relationship built on trust, connectedness and communication based on a shared understanding.