This article describes the model of primary health care in Venezuela: Misión Barrio Adentro I. This is a case study analyzing documents, observation guidelines, and interviews obtained in the field during the months of July and August, 2006. The results show that Misión Barrio Adentro is taking shape rapidly, with the construction of popular practices and the development of the National Public Health System, which ensure references and counterreferences. The process is based on teamwork, under which healing activities predominate, with prevention activities and strong community participation. Although the goals are being achieved, they have been poorly documented. This study allowed knowledge concerning the different models of primary health care deployed in Latin America in a context of social transformation to be enhanced.
health systems; primary health care; case studies