The gender dimension in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)

Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) refer to a group of chronic conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system, characterized by flare-ups of inflammation followed by periods of remission. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which affect approximately 37'000 individuals in Switzerland.

This thesis explores, on the one hand, the role of gender in the experiences and therapeutic journeys of individuals affected by IBD and, on the other hand, how gender norms influence representations and dynamics within the healthcare professions involved in managing these conditions. Grounded in health anthropology and gender studies, this project seeks to move beyond a biomedical and binary reading of “biological sex” by mobilizing the concept of gender as a fluid and intersectional social construct. In addition, this work adopts a critical perspective on the gendered division of labor within healthcare professions. The male hegemony in gastroenterology and the hierarchy of knowledge will be critically examined.

To this end, interviews will be conducted with individuals with IBD, and observations in clinical contexts will be carried out. Similar methods will be employed with healthcare professionals involved in the management of IBD.