Primary health care ideology is considered from the vantage point of health center field staff in South India and Sri Lanka. It is argued that professional and organizational role conflicts are fostered by primary health care inspired programs introduced without regard to the status and motivations of existing cadres of staff. Attention is focused on the health center as a social system and the need for social systems analysis as a preliminary step in planning for team-work at the health center-community level. Inasmuch as team-work is the cornerstone of PHC implementation, more thought need be given to staff response to potential programs.