This study analyzes the practices and organization of Family Health Program, in the municipality of Juazeiro do Norte according to the discussion of elements that feature the primary attention, as proposed by Starfield. The theoretical context chosen understands the primary attention as a level of attention organized by the features: First contact, longitude, integrality, coordination. This is a qualitative research, using focus group techniques, semi-structured interview and non-participant observation in eight family health unities in the municipality. There are difficulties in accessing the primary care in the units, caused by structural barriers imposed to the organization of attention, represented by an excess of clients for each team and reduced availability of medical professional. Considering that there are a compulsory enrollment of the population to the Family Health Care program health units, this level of attention in the city presents itself as a traditional doctor-hegemonic model of healing practices associated with the prioritization of vertical programs of the Ministry of Health.
Primary Health Care; Health policy; Family Health Program