[Admitting patients: a study in basic health units in the city of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil]

This study was based on the analysis of the relationship established between nursing auxiliaries and their clientele in two Basic Health Units at the time of clients' reception. The theoretical framework used was that of the "help model", whose elements are: attending, responding, personalizing, giving directions, becoming involved, exploring, understanding and acting. Four typical cases are presented, which show that the relationships are not always personalized, the client and the auxiliary do not become involved in the relationship and that there is more concern about the development of technical abilities than about reception. There are different communication attitudes at the same unit. The reception process must be incorporated to the health unit procedures at the same time it must transcend the routine character of daily activities.