BACKGROUND. The objective of this study was to discover the health care process of the Ecuadorian group, to describe their concept of health, the factors that influence the use of the different care systems and their characteristics. METHODS. Qualitative research conducted through discussion groups in the years 2002 and 2003 with resident Ecuadorian immigrants living in Madrid. They were selected by snowball sampling. Segmentation criteria were gender, administrative and work situation. Intentional and theoretical sampling until the saturation point. Use for the interpretation of the Grounded Theory. RESULTS. The more frequent social representation of health is the holistic view of the health. There is an ideal perception of the Spanish health care system, evaluating proximity, technology and free of charge. Specialized care is glorified, this leading to the undervaluation of the family doctor and primary health care. The emergency services are the most valued system. They go there due to its rapidity, flexibility of schedules and presence of specialists. CONCLUSIONS. The health care professionals must know the sociocultural characteristics of the immigrants to improve their care. Knowledge of the characteristics of the health care system by the population should be encouraged in order to improve the health care resource usage.

qualitative research immigrants beliefs Utilization of health care services Health Ecuador

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