According to the National Humanization Policy of the Brazilian Unified Health System (Humaniza-SUS), participative management implies the involvement of healthcare workers, managers and users in a pact of co-responsibility based on contracts and commitments with the healthcare system. This paper discusses the limits and possibilities for incorporating participative management and the principle of co-responsibility within the scope of the Family Health Strategy. A multiple-case study was developed, integrating qualitative (dominant) and quantitative strategies, with emphasis on professionals' and users' perceptions. Six municipalities in Bahia, Sergipe and Ceará were included. The study showed that the process of social participation and the incorporation of the principle of co-responsibility within the scope of the management and healthcare of the Family Health Strategy is at a very early stage. It was observed that the professionals did not encourage citizen participation and that many users took an attitude of gratitude for the services received.
Humanization; Co-responsibility; Social participation; Family Health Strategy; Participative planning