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Abstract
The primary aim of this study is the exploration of the views of physicians in Barbados on the provision of a patient-focused health service. Qualitative interviews were conducted with fifteen physicians based at a teaching hospital in Barbados. The data was analysed in relation to literature on the physicianpatient relationship with particular reference to ‘patient-focused’ versus ‘provider-focused’ approaches to health care delivery. Results were first, that while the concept of patient-focused care has gained some recognition in Barbados over the last five years, several respondents considered health care delivery was in general not patient-focused. Secondly, with regard to the sample of physicians interviewed, there were different approaches to health care delivery and varying extents to which physicians were ‘patient-focused’ in relation to different issues. Three broad approaches were identified: ‘patient-focused’, ‘provider-focused’ and ‘intermediate’. Thirdly, physicians could also be grouped into three ‘types’ consistent with these three broad approaches; that is, patientfocused, provider-focused, and intermediate.