In this article we present an overview of the publication about the health care in the family context. We developed a bibliographical research taking as source the following databases: SciELO, MEDLINE and Lilacs using the keywords: health care and family caregivers considering the period from 1995 through 2007. We realized that there are few studies on the subject and some of them are quite superficial in their approach. Our focus was directed to the understanding of: types of methodologies applied; theoretical approach; "care" concepts; analysis of culture and social class; references to networking; gender considerations and finally consensus and gaps in the studies. The results show that most of the studies assume a qualitative methodology compatible with the high complexity level of the studied subject and theoretical approaches of comprehensive character exploring meanings and conceptions. The discussion of the role of culture, social class distinctions and gender relations in the production and sourcing of health care arise once in a while but without the proper depth. The importance of the role of woman-mother in producing and providing health care is generally disregarded of criticism. We noticed a trend to use broader health care concepts that synthesize material, affective and social aspects, although without a discussion in a concrete way.
Health care; Family and health; Family health; Health care concept