The aim of this qualitative study was to analyze the receptivity and solvability of emergencies within the Family Health Strategy (FHS). Interviews were conducted with 27 family health professionals, and then subjected to content analysis, which resulted in the following categories: recognizing an emergency; emergency room care; solvability of emergencies; advantages and difficulties encountered in the care and the organization of the emergency care network. Professionals have difficulty recognizing an emergency and do not understand the FHS as a viable service for urgent care. They consider this type of care as falling outside the governing principle of primary health care and, therefore, use referrals as a way to resolve these situations. Vocational training and the preparation of a managerial flowchart for patient reception by teams are urgently required measures, as is promoting health education for all service users, so that they can take ownership of the FHS as true gateway to other network services.
Primary Care; User Embracement; Emergencies; Medical Education