Latin American Modes of Social Participation in Healthcare

The main objective of this article is to analyze the conceptual framework that supports social involvement in healthcare in the Latin American context. It is based on the participation proposal by Cunill (1991). The methodology is analytical-documentary; it includes 25 items of national and international research, referring to a social participation model in health, institutionalized in Latin America. The study reveals multiple Latin American efforts regarding social participation in healthcare. In the majority of the cases reviewed, it was found that they respond to three approaches: liberal democratic, social democratic and revolutionary reformist. Regarding the modes of social participation in healthcare, it was shown they were marked mostly by an informative mode in Ecuador, a consultative approach in Chile, Cuba and Brazil; a resolutive/auditory modein Mexico and Chile, a delegativemodein Costa Rica; and, to a lesser extent, an executive approach in Argentina. Among the institutional mechanisms for participation in healthcare, Councils and/or Health Committees stand out. Conclusions are that social participation in healthcare demands active citizenship, social and institutional networks and political will as requirements; inclusion, autonomy, democratization and equality as principles; and civic vocation, shared responsibility and social commitment as characteristics.