Results:
Health measures to surmount barriers to access were identified in all RRMs, while other measures differed to suit the characteristics of the territories. RRMs generally showed improved PHC infrastructure, non-routine itinerant activities and PHC teams taking services into the interior, particularly in the work of CHWs and nursing personnel. In areas of the Amazon region, where access is predominantly by river, floating PHC facilities and ambulance launches were found; in areas accessed mainly by road, in addition to itinerant activities, nurses played an expanded role and worked call-shifts. In the semi-arid, PHC facility opening hours were organised differently and PHC teams travelled daily to visit support stations in remote communities. In a region of traditional populations, where agribusiness was expanding, there were itinerant “task force” activities and health care for priority groups. The CHWs’ role was crucial to continuous, routine monitoring in remote areas of municipalities. Conclusions remote rural territories displayed specific and differing populational, geographical, climatic, economic, social and cultural features to be considered when organising health services, as they demand differing models to guarantee universal access with equity. Primary health care organisation in remote rural municipalities in Brazil demand differing models to guarantee universal access with equity.