Considering the Pichonian reference of an operative group, a qualitative, exploratory study was developed to analyze the meetings of a Family Health Strategy team through observation and focus groups. Among the findings a protocol practice appeared, focusing on technical aspects, to the detriment of important issues which provide support to the group process, including those involving the organization and logistics. Difficulties in expressing ideas and giving contrary opinions emerged as obstacles to group dynamics and the adoption of a critical attitude risked segregation of the group. However, the debates favored new insights among the participants, breaking down the illusion of a "perfect team" with the gradual recognition that this concept remained only at the level of idealization. The operative group technique postulated by Pichon-Rivière (2005) is proposed as a possibility of genuine collective construction, considering not only the results, but the process undergone by the subjects, with a view to group learning.
Health management; Health services administration; Family health program; Group processes; Focus groups