This paper is a qualitative study that aimed to describe the linkages between health surveillance and primary healthcare and the devices used to put these processes into effect. Data gathering was conducted through participant observation of the surveillance system, at the national level and in the municipality of Moreno, province of Buenos Aires. The data were recorded in a field diary. The results were analyzed from the perspective of institutional analysis, based on concepts developed by Lourau such as analyzer, institution and involvement. The results showed that the feelings and subjective views that circulated among the subjects involved in the process facilitated creation of devices for linking between areas and jurisdictions. The importance of this study is that the external view helped to reflect on the work processes.
Public health; Primary health care; Health care