This paper is the outcome of a bibliographical review that aims at systemizing references in the literature to concepts involved in the training and work processes of community health agents under the Community Health Agent Program (PACS) and the Family Health Program. Published in scientific journals, manuals and official documents through to October 2004, 504 articles were consulted, of which 49 were selected and examined in full. The findings were systematically arranged under four themes, reviewing controversial aspects raised by authors, outstanding among which are: the 'discourse of change' statements in official documents, defining the Family Health Program as a reorientation strategy for the Primary Healthcare Model; the scope and ambiguity of understandings of the role of mediator and definitions of the duties and responsibilities of Community Healthcare Agents, as well as the gaps in their training.
Community health agent; Reorientation of healthcare model; Mediation; Assignments; Training