[The sociological research methods in practice of medical social work].

The specificity of medical and social work as professional activity targeted to restoring, preserving and promoting population health determines related focus of research practice and interdisciplinary nature of research. In accordance with purpose of medical and social work, specificity of emerging research practice is related to the fact that comprehensive assistance in maintaining and promoting population health implies the presence in activities of social worker medical and social profile of psychological, pedagogical, legal, technological and research competence. The article also applies the concept of "professional social worker involved in the provision of medical and social assistance to the population." This concept has following meaning: these are citizens who work in the positions of "social worker" and "specialist in social work" in medical organizations and social service organizations of population, who have job function related to restoring, maintaining and improving population health in general, social and in particular social and medical services. Therefore, content of the problem field, choice of areas of scientific support is concerned to each of these aspects of activity and associated social reflection. The article presents the results of theoretical study of the role of sociological methods in implementation of medical and social work.