Background: About half of Sweden's population is suffering from a chronic disease and most are cared for in primary healthcare. Chronical illness of one family member can affect the whole family's health. It is therefore important that the district nurse pays attention to all family members and supports them in their situation. Previous research shows that the families and patients health are positively affected if families can be involved in the care of the chronically ill family member and be supported in their role. In primary care in Sweden no research could be founded in this area. It is thus important to examine the district nurse's experiences of familyfocused work in primary care.

Aim: To illuminate the district nurse's experiences of making the family involved in care of chronically ill patients in primary care.

Method: A qualitative approach was used and twelve district nurses in primary care in a region in western Sweden were interviewed. A qualitive content was used for analysis.

Result: The analysis resulted in four main categories: Communication is the key to participation, education is a tool to enable participation, coordination is an important part that promotes participation, there are factors that affects family-focused work; and eight subcategories.

Conclusion: The district nurses found it important to work family-focused. They experienced both possibilities and hindrance with this approach. Due to the lack of structure, procedures and directives from the employer, the family- focused work approach was not visible.