Despite the emphasis of the territorial logic on the first level of the public health services network, the users of this health system come demonstrating a historical preference by emergency services. In order to try to understand this behavior, a Qualitative Research was developed, by means of interviews with "Foci Groups" of public health services users, where it was searched to know their experiences, perceptions and opinions, looking for understanding how do they choose during their search for assistance. The users reject the "norm" that defines the basic health care services of their territorial reference as their "entrance door", in favor of other parameters that were more significant for them. The arrangements of the health care organization have the meaning of barriers to the access. Moreover, the user's image in relation to the UBS is of great limitation. On the other hand, the emergency services present for them as spaces characterized by bigger capacity. The users demonstrate a significant indifference about the public health services. Besides, the uncertainty's images prevail in the SUS. But, according to its access necessity, the users learn social rules in the services and construct several strategies with the aim to open the doors of the health system.
Health policy; Brazilian Unified Health System; Health services organization; Health services demand