Open AccessThis study reports on the experience of implementing an elective course in Family and Comunity Medicine in the medical school curriculum at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, according to the students' point of view. The study showed that students considered the practical components of the curriculum more relevant than the theoretical ones. One explanation for this is that practice allows criticism by making it possible to question and solve everyday situations, and, therefore, make a link between the medical student's perspective and the reality of medical practice. Given the need to improve the comprehensive approach to the people's health, taking into account their biopsychosocial aspects, it is necessary to change the medical curriculum following the principles of Primary Health Care (PHC). Within this context, Family and Community Medicine (FCM) is a key medical specialty for PHC, because it leads to well-trained general physicians, who are able to provide continued care and to respond to people's health needs.