The development of medical sociology in Europe.

This general profile of contemporary European medical sociology is derived from a larger study and based on: (1) in-depth sociohistorical analyses and evaluations of the development of the subdiscipline in five European countries; (2) a survey of the background and activities of European medical sociologists (N = 646) in twenty different European countries; and (3) contacts with resource persons and medical sociologists generated by the compilation of a Directory of European medical sociologists. Besides illustrating common features in the origins and developments of European medical sociologies, a number of characteristics of the discipline are highlighted. Special attention is being paid to elements of institutionalization and professionalization of the discipline. Finally, reflections as to the prospects of medical sociology in Europe and the possibility of creating a 'European' medical sociology are offered.