Nowadays, PSF deals with practices from the biomedical model and with other practices that mark changes. This article approaches innovative care experiences based on a research study carried out in Natal, state of Rio Grande do Norte, between 2005 and 2007. It aimed to understand the full meaning of integrality, to discuss the role of professionals' creativity and sensitivity, and to analyze the possibilities of institutionalization and sustainability. Document analysis, semi-structured interviews with the professionals and observation of the experiences were used. The main integrality concepts that were found were: health promotion as a change in lifestyle, dialogic similarities between popular and scientific knowledge, the strengthening of popular participation and self-care. There was social recognition expressed by prizes, publications and plays. None of the projects had financial support. Therefore, it is concluded that such experiences had a vocation for promotion and care, although they lack political and financial sustainability.
Innovation; Care; Integrality; Family Health Program; Health education