Summary:
The author reports a study carried out 20 years ago, involvindo 569 graduates from 8 Medical Schools; in that investigation, 90% of the students stated that knowledge of Psychology and Psychiatry was important for a better patient assistance in the specialty thei had chosen, This continues to be true for 97 up to 100% of the graduates from Rio Preto Medical School, in more recent studies. All of the first year students also find Psychology an important discipline in Medical School and give reasons for their statement. The author summaraizes the objectives of Psychology applied to Medicine. It is also emphasized that it is a valuable tool for the making of better physicians.
Keywords:
Medical psychology - objectives; Medical education; Teaching psychology in medical school