[Reorganization of the health sector: contribution to education in the administration of health services].

This article discusses some of the difficulties traditionally encountered in endeavors to reorganize health services and the various obstacles to be surmounted if the changes proposed by planners are to be brought about and their goals achieved. In view of the need for the countries of the Americas to find alternative ways to reorganize their health sectors so that all members of their populations can be properly served, the author considers the utility of the so-called "matrix" criterion, which has been used in economics and general administration for the past decade. It is admitted that problems can arise in efforts to apply this approach, but it is felt that, if the resources of the different units and sectors are used jointly under the responsibility of a coordinator of operations, it will be possible to work in an integrated way toward the established goals.