Real-Life Decision Making
You are pulling patient files for the doctor's morning appointments when the phone rings. You pick up the receiver and in a polite voice, you take down the patient's name and daytime phone number.
Victor Onasis' voice sounds weak, and you make a mental note that this is an elderly patient. He sounds very agitated when you ask him the nature of the appointment.
"I have to come in as soon as possible, " he says. Again, you ask the nature of the appointment so that you can schedule the appropriate amount of time. "I can't really tell you that," he says. "Um, it's really nothing much. You know, nothing much."
After asking him more questions and not getting a satisfactory response, you ask him for a convenient day and time to make an appointment. You suggest the first opening, which is next week. He doesn't reply for a moment. He then quietly adds. "I've got dizziness, shortness of breath and...sharp pains in my chest."
This could potentially be a very serious condition. You suggest an appointment for this afternoon in a space you have left open for visits such as this one which seem to require immediate attention.
You can hear Mr. Onasis wheezing as he deliberates. "No," he says weakly. "I think I'll wait for next week."
What do you do?