[Primary health care and community participation: strategic approaches]

This article gives technical orientation to health institutions for the promotion of community participation and sets forth the challenge of constructing a health system for Chile, according to the needs and problems of the country and based on the principles of solidarity, equity and social participation. It presents the governmental objectives and actions towards the development of social participation as an axis of Primary Care. The adoption of this concept requires a change in health teams internal management and relationship with the local community. The formation of interdisciplinary work groups, the formulation of a community health program, a work based in specific projects and the establishment of an operational sequence are suggested as requirements to start this process.