Health forms and technological norms
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Högskolan i Halmstad |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 295 000 |
| Project duration | June 2012 - March 2013 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The aim of the project was to demonstrate how a gender perspective can be used to bring neglected needs within the area of health technology to light and thereby contribute to innovation and development. The project resulted in the Androchair, an examination chair for men, its design based on women´s experiences of the gynaecological chair. The Androchair makes gender perspectives visible, brings about reflection and poses questions about sex, gender, health and technology.
Results and expected effects
The project has increased awareness and knowledge of gender perspectives among employees at HCH. The issue has been raised further, and above all have perspectives on needs been problematized in a positive direction. The Androchair exemplifies how gender perspective is an essential tool for addressing and visualizing needs and obstacles in the innovation process. It has also raised questions about gender, health and development outside HCH´s operations as it has received attention in newspapers, radio and TV.
Approach and implementation
Workshops and environmental scanning identified gynaecology and andrology as areas of interest. Interviews were conducted with women, men, nurses, midwives and doctors. The material led to the development of a concept where two particularly interesting perspectives were lifted, women´s vulnerability in the survey context and the lack of corresponding routine checkups and specialist care for men. The design of the Androchair was partly based on statements from the interviews.