Alice Jameson is a 69-year-old who has been suffering from flu-like symptoms for several days. She calls her primary care provider to make an appointment. The conversation went as follows: "Mid-Town Medical Clinic, this is Marianne; please hold." After a 2- to 3-minute wait, the receptionist comes back on the line. "Thank you for holding. Can I help you?" "This is Alice Jameson. I am feeling terrible. I think I have the flu. But I shouldn't have the flu; I got the flu shot last fall. Can I see my doctor?" "Alice, we are so busy with flu patients, I don't have an opening until day after tomorrow. Can you come at 3:30 p.M.?" After a brief pause, Alice responds, hesitantly. "No, I don't think so. If I don't get better, I guess I'll go to my neighborhood emergency care clinic." "Okay. Bye."
