Conclusion: Gender and healthcare: The future

Abstract

This is an auspicious time for gender and healthcare research. After several decades of dormancy, a range of policy and institutional drivers for change have awakened interest in gender issues. Although presently we are more likely to be disturbed by nightmares of gender-insensitive care than soothed by dreams of care that is finely and fully attuned to gender, it is now at least possible to visualize a future where health systems are gender-sensitive and the benefits this may bring. The chapters in this Handbook have shown what has been achieved so far and have also identified outstanding concerns and unresolved issues. The purpose of this concluding chapter is to draw matters together and to suggest avenues that need to be travelled in future research and practice.