The present research had as proposition making a study case at the wing of medical psychology at Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). It was investigated with the theorical principles of medical psychology applied in a teaching and aid institution. The initial presuppositions of the field had a contester characteristic in relation to Medicine.The structures were inquired the medical practice. With the intention to modify the relation doctor - patiente giving a more humanized conotation, and also building a model for the origem of the disease, where the psychic factors would be considered major elements in the formation of somatic illnesses. When analyzing the data, it was concluded that the insertion of the medical psychology at UERJ portraits an institutional trajectory marked by difficulties and political struggles, that implied in a gradual change in its primary propposition. The critical and contester character was lost, transforming it in a Medicine addendum.
medical psychology; study case; UERJ