6.1. Conception of interdisciplinary research
Due to its multifaceted character, the health and disease, medicine and public health can be examined only with interdisciplinary scientific approach. There is an urgent need in the development of interdisciplinary approach to the problems of healthcare, further development of public health system, and structural reformation of the entire system of medico-sociological knowledge.
There are several facets in the interdisciplinary approach. The first facet reflects the integrative character of this approach based on assimilation of the notions, concepts, and the methods of allied sciences with particular emphasis placed on some mathematical disciplines. The second feature is characterized by consideration of a certain scientific or practical problems as interdisciplinary targeted research. The third aspect consists in the use of general theory of the systems, synergetics, and hermeneutics in solving the research problems in various fields.
The integrative and targeted interdisciplinary medico-sociological studies of the problems make it possible to outline the specific character of the object and clearly demarcate the subject fields of different sciences with particular attention focused on the borderline regions. The results of the research work in sociology of medicine lay the foundation for application of interdisciplinary approach to study the problems of health and disease viewed as the states of individuals and phenomena completely described within the framework of individual sociocultural and medicosocial profile.
6.2. Interdisciplinary paradigm of sociology of medicine
Sociology of medicine exemplifies the pronounced achievements of integrative scientific research processes. It demonstrates spectacular progress in integration of