AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the meaning of person-centred care from the patient's perspective and in the context of perioperative nursing. BACKGROUND: Person-centred care (PCC) is used but not defined in the perioperative context. The concept indicates an interest in the patient's own experience of health, illness, needs and preferences. As with many terms that are frequently used, there is a tendency for person-centred care to mean different things to different people in different contexts. METHODS: A two-part search strategy was employed; firstly, a computerized database search of PubMed and CINAHL, using Medical Subject Headings and free terms to search articles dating from 2004 to 2014, and secondly, a hand-search of those articles' reference lists was performed. Twenty-three articles were selected and an integrative review was conducted. RESULTS: Four themes were discovered: 'Being recognized as a unique entity and being allowed to be the person you are', 'Being considered important by having one's personal wishes taken into account', 'The presence of a perioperative nurse is calming; prevents feelings of loneliness and promotes wellbeing, which may speed up recovery', and 'Being close to and being touched by the perioperative nurse during surgery'. CONCLUSIONS: PCC means respecting the patient as a unique individual, considering the patient's particularities and wishes, and involving the patient in their own care. PCC also implies having access to one's own nurse who is present both physically and emotionally through the entire perioperative process and who guides the patient and follows up postoperatively, guaranteeing that the patient is not alone. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: By having a common understanding of the concept of PCC, the nurse anaesthetists' and theatre nurses' caring actions or concerns will be directed towards the patient', resulting in personalization of care rather than simply defining the concept. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.