Concept maps, created by Novak and based on Ausubel's theory, can represent an important pedagogical strategy for students to learn about the construction of scientific concepts, helping them to integrate and correlate information, as well as assign meaning to what they are studying. In this article, we describe the work carried out with medical students using concept maps drawing on "generator themes" created in the discipline of Primary Health Care, based on the main health problems found in the local area. According to our studies, the use of maps can constitute an important methodological resource, supporting the alignment of adequate theoretical training to the interventions required in real life, as well as facilitating the appropriation of scientific concepts by students.