ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the structure, ideology, and conflicts of the medical profession in a non-democratic country, Spain. It overviews the structural peculiarities of the Spanish medical profession compared with other southern European countries. The chapter focuses on analysis of the distinctive ideologies that Spanish physicians have developed during the years 1939 to 1976. It discusses a brief reference to the power conflicts between the medical profession and other pressure groups, as well as within the medical profession itself. It attempts to contribute further research on the role of the medical profession in non-democratic countries to augment the models biased towards Western democracies which sociologists in this field have developed. Ideology is usually considered in singular terms, as it includes a total view of society and life. There are several groups in society which are granted the legitimate use of ideology including the church, politicians and medical doctors.
