Abstract
With the aim of presenting the experience of implementation of a proposal of theoretical-applied teaching of Preventive Medicine in Health Centers of Salvador (Bahia-Brazil), carried out joinlly by the University and the Health State Office, a description of activities performed in a period of 3 years is provided, emphasizing difficulties and problems met and solved.
In spite of progresses in the course coordination, in teaching materials, in the student's receptiveness and in the teacher / student relationship, there still is a lack of real opportunities for the exercise of pratical tasks in “collective health”, given the current conditions of functioning and administration of the Health Centers. Particularly the authors reccommend a deeper discussion on the praxis of “collective health”, as starded by the teachers of the Residence Course in Social and Preventive Medicine, and trials of new forms of trainneeship into the health services (public or not) and with the proper community organizations, taking in account the changes fostered by the contemporary health conjuncture.