Professional roles
The doctor was viewed as a busy, authoritative and knowledgeable person who rarely makes mistakes and has full understanding of the conditions he or she treats. Several informants felt that the doctor's instructions should always be obeyed, and 12 of 18 in the structured vignette study agreed that “Mr Ali's doctor [general practitioner] knows everything about diabetes.” Twelve also agreed that it would be impertinent for Mr Ali to ask the doctor any questions. In contrast, both white British and AfroCaribbean informants were openly assertive and critical of health professionals. Nurses were sometimes viewed in a traditional caring and technical role but were sometimes recognised as providers of information and advice.