Abstract: A request is received from a consumer for an electronic, real-time communication with a medical service provider; the availability of the medical service provider is assessed; if the medical service provider is not immediately available, a first scheduling option including waiting in queue and a second scheduling option including an appointment with the medical service provider are provided; a choice among the first scheduling option and the second scheduling option is received from the consumer; and the electronic, real-time communication between the consumer and the medical service provider is arranged, based at least in part on the scheduling option chosen by the consumer.