As abortion clinics shutter across the country, providers in states where abortion is still legal are expecting an influx of patients — and they’re hoping technology can help them manage the deluge.
Clinicians at brick-and-mortar and virtual abortion sites tell STAT they’re using and exploring technology like virtual assistants, online scheduling, increased virtual visits, and asynchronous messaging to ensure more convenient access to abortion care. Ideally, these tools could minimize the need for patients traveling from other states to visit clinics and keep wait times low, they say.