ABSTRACT
The objective of this article is to present a panorama of the health ombudsman offices in the 27 Brazilian states - registered at the General Ombudsman Department of the Unified Health System of the Ministry of Health - detecting the alignment of principles. A qualitative study was designed and a questionnaire was administered to the ombudsmen, drawing on an Ombudsman Strength-Idea that guides the department's structure and performance. The findings provide information to subsidize public policies directed to social control and participation. The ombudsman's performance is discussed considering its keyrole in the construction of socio-political participation.
KEYWORDS:
Patient advocacy. Social participation. Social control; formal