The Importance and Purpose of Medical Psychology in the Study of Medicine

Abstract

Medical psychology is to be understood both as an interdisciplinary science, orientated to the bio-psychosocial concept of illness as well as a basic medical attitude that encompasses the whole of a doctor's activity. In the curriculum the students must be provided with a medico-psychological training that is specific to individual phases of study. This requires a didactic process that is centered on the student, both in the teaching of medical psychology as well as in medico-psychological hospital practice, which is to be achieved in close cooperation with other medical subjects. Medical psychology is mostly described as a newer scientific discipline. It does have a history, however, that has evolved over time. Although medical psychology has always been a building block in the thinking and actions of the medical profession, it is now explicitly anchored in the training (i.e. in the curriculum) of doctors.