Background According to the Health Care Act [HSL] (SFS 1982:763), the goal of health care is health and care on equal terms for the entire population. The patient has the right to be informed and to be involved in the care. Nurse has a part in creating the patient autonomy.

Aim The purpose of this study was to describe patient experiences of possibilities and barriers to participation in health care.

Method A qualitative literature based study in the subject of nursing. Article search was performed in library databases: Cinahl, PubMed and Academic Search Elite. Eight qualitative articles were analyzed.

Results Two categories were found: Possibilities for participation; Barriers to participation with sub-categories. The main findings were two important factors; how the mutual trust between the nurse and the patient helps the patient to become involved in their care; and how relevant and appropriate information promotes patient involvement in their care.

Conclusion Important factors are information and treatment. In order to reduce society's costs and patient suffering nurses should give information in a proper way i.e. it should be appropriate and relevant. The information should be both written and orally. More research needs to find out what hinders and promotes patient participation in order to give the nurses strategies to help the patients become involved in their care