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Methods: Semi-structured interviews conducted with 68 consecutive hospital patients. The questions explored the characteristics of good/bad doctors. Responses were subjected to content analysis.

Results: The patients’ mean age was 72.7 (±15) years; 61% were female. Content analysis produced 9 categories connoted positively/negatively; the mean number of categories/patient response was 2.4 (±1.3), ranging from 1–6. Sensitivity/insensitivity to feelings were in the forefront, together with the importance of the relational dimension and the need to provide treatment tailored to the patient’s needs. Patients’ responses emphasised “bad” doctors’ use of medicine as selfserving and not serving the patient. Conclusion: This qualitative enquiry made it possible to gather information on the patients’ expectations or beliefs outside physicians’ or health researchers’ pre-established categories. It emphasised that acknowledging possible areas of uncertainty may be less threatening for the doctor’s image than exhibiting scientific proficiency unadapted to the patient’s expectations and needs.