The Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) was created 15 years ago with the aim of promoting universal access to health care. This study analyzes the content of social representations by health professionals from Rio de Janeiro concerning the system's implementation. The study was based on social representation and social memory theory and was conducted in five health care institutions with 100 professionals. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed through lexical analysis using the Alceste 4.7 software. The results showed two thematic blocks, namely the formal and real SUS. The formal representation discusses themes related to human resources policy, health system definitions and principles, and social participation. The real representation discusses the health professional-client relationship and health care structure, hierarchical and regional organization of care, and client profile. The results reflect the main characteristics of the SUS and allow the identification of representations and memories that differentiate it from the previous system.
Health Public Policy; Health Systems; Health Personel
