The objective of this study was to describethe use of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategyby doctors and nurses that work in the Family Health Strategy program in a major city of midwestern Brazil. This descriptive study involved 50 physicians and 51 nurses working in family health units. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Most of the respondents were female (69.3%)and had graduated three to five years prior to data collection (32.7%). In terms of knowledge, 50.5% showed they were familiar with the content of the IMCIstrategy, learned during their undergraduate studies. About 44.6% of professionals partially applied,this approachandthe most frequently used element was growth and anemiaassessment(25.4%). The findingsraise some concern,since the failure to apply all the IMCI components mayprevent these professionals from detecting treatable diseases in primary healthcare, thus increasing the number of preventable hospital admission