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Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics: Expanding Patient-Centered and Equitable Early Pregnancy Care

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review provides an overview of how early pregnancy assessment clinics (EPACs) provide patient-centered and evidence-based early pregnancy care, increase access to abortion care, and reduce health disparities.

Recent Findings

There is growing evidence that early pregnancy care provided in an EPAC is cost-effective, patient centered, and highly valued by patients.

Summary

Patients in the USA who have clinical needs in early pregnancy often do not have a standard location to seek care. EPACs have been shown to provide early pregnancy care that is efficient and compassionate while also promoting patient autonomy and increasing access to standardized early pregnancy loss and abortion care. EPACs, while underutilized in the USA, should be integrated into the health system to expand the availability of quality early pregnancy care.

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Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. Center for Academic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 453 Quarry Rd., Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA

    Stephanie Amaya & Jade Shorter

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  1. Stephanie Amaya
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Correspondence to Jade Shorter.

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Amaya, S., Shorter, J. Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics: Expanding Patient-Centered and Equitable Early Pregnancy Care. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep 12, 96–102 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-023-00353-y

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