In today's healthcare system, there is an imbalance between what patients expect of caregivers' care and their perception of the care they get. How is it possible to reduce this imbalance? The aim of this paper was to describe attributes associated with meaningful encounters in the Swedish healthcare system based on patients' and caregivers' written narratives and to note the differences and similarities between the attributes identified by the two groups. This paper is a qualitative descriptive study. The analysis was guided by qualitative content analyses. Based on patients' narratives, attributes associated with a meaningful encounter fell into four categories: the kind-hearted caregiver, the thoughtful caregiver, the mutually oriented caregiver, and the helpful caregiver. Based on caregivers' narratives, the attributes were categorized as being humane, caring through physical contact, caring by nurturing communication, joy and laughter in care, and a sense of mutuality. The results show that there are both similarities and differences in patients' and caregivers' opinions about the attributes of a meaningful encounter. Knowing more about the attributes associated with meaningful encounters makes it possible for caregivers to individualize care for patients and makes it easier to help and support patients in what they most need support with. 1. Introduction Meeting people in the healthcare system in an acceptable and pleasant way is ascribed great importance these days. A good relationship can be seen as a prerequisite for good and professional care and can have a significant impact on the outcome of patients’ care and treatment. This is regardless of the form of care or the categories of staff involved [1, 2]. In today’s healthcare system, there is an imbalance between what patients expect of caregivers care and the care that patients perceive they actually get. In what way is it possible to reduce this imbalance? How can encounters in the healthcare system be less superficial and more consistent with patients’ expectations so that health and well-being can be promoted? There are several studies which show that patients and families have experienced bad encounters in the healthcare system, but there are few empirical studies of what constitutes experiencing a meaningful encounter. Empirical research highlights the imbalance between caregivers’ and patients’ opinions of an encounter’s purpose and meaning. In a literature review by Shattell [3], it seems that patients in the care relationship want to be comforted, confirmed, and get to know and become
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