Individuals with diabetes mellitus and their providers view the world from their own perspectives and bring these different perspectives to the clinical encounter. Because individuals with diabetes enact the day-to-day management of their disease, their perspective will, therefore, largely determine their behaviours.A broad interpretation of how to think about individuals in their patient role, their social context and their relationships with providers creates opportunities for providers to assist patients in life-enhancing ways. Steps for providers include examining their own values and attitudes about diabetes and its treatment, contextualising patient responses and incorporating a different set of questions in the clinical encounter. Steps for organisations include involving patients in interdisciplinary meetings, evaluation of system and provider quality, creating a milieu which supports dialogue and relationship development, important elements of a caring environment.