This study was aimed at analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the Family Healthcare Strategy and the Traditional Primary Healthcare Unit from the perspective of users, based on the assessment dimensions proposed by Starfield in relation to primary healthcare. A qualitative approach was used in this research, carried out through interviews with users of these distinct healthcare models. The weaknesses and strengths of these models of healthcare are similar regarding the access, gateway, healthcare services offered at different levels of technological density and their articulation. For the users of the Family Healthcare Strategy, the bond, longitudinality and focus on the family occur in a more effective way. As for the professional team, the users of the traditional Primary Healthcare unit are more satisfied than the users of the Family Healthcare Strategy, since these do not have all their needs met due to the fact that this service only offers access to a general practitioner. It can, therefore, be concluded that there is a need to make changes to the two models of healthcare services.
Primary health care; Unified Health System; Quality of health care