The "Centro de Saúde Modelo" was the first Basic Health Care Service of the Brazilian Public Health System to introduce homeopathic care in the State of RS. The aim of this study was to understand this health center's contribution to the development of the integrality principle. This is a case study. The categories employed in guidying the study were: welcoming, bond and care. The data was based on documents, direct observation and interviews with professionals and people using the service. The results indicate that homeopathy, by welcoming and caring for each individual in his/her singularity and totality, makes a differentiated kind of assistance possible. However, integrality has been restricted to some aspects directly associated with the physician-patient relation such as bonding and care. The main problem identified was access to care. Homeopathy is coherent with and strengthens the principles of the Brazilian Public Health System and therefore it should be valued and become more widespread as a therapeutic option, thus contributing towards effectively achieving the goal of integral health care.
Integrality; Homeopathy; Health management; Case study