In search of patient-centred care in middle income countries: the experience of diabetes care in the former Soviet Union.

•For the first time, we examine barriers to patient-centred care in the former USSR.•We use diabetes as a tracer condition, examining patient and provider perspectives.•Despite strengthened primary care, patients often go straight to specialists.•Care for patients with diabetes is fragmented and not integrated into general care.•Health systems struggle to provide care responding to patient needs and expectations.