Final answer:
Mike's action to make a passionate plea to a doctor in hopes of getting his mother accepted as a new patient best aligns with 'a. Begged for an appointment.' This highlights the role of advocacy in accessing healthcare and overcoming disparities in the medical system.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the doctor said they weren't taking new patients, Mike's best course of action to help his mother would be to make a passionate plea for them to take her on as a patient. Given the circumstances that Mike was desperately trying to get medical attention for his mother, the best option that matches his reaction described in the question is 'a. Begged for an appointment.' This choice accurately reflects a situation where someone advocates strongly for healthcare services, which is especially pertinent when facing health disparities or barriers in accessing medical care.
Health disparities often become evident during serious illnesses like cancer, and the importance of having a strong advocate becomes paramount. Mike's advocacy for his mother represents a crucial step in attempting to overcome potential barriers in the healthcare system, similar to volunteering and participating in community-engaged research to address medical mistrust and racial disparities.
The sense of urgency and the need for immediate medical intervention can lead families to advocate passionately for their loved ones, which is exemplified in Mike's plea to the doctor to accept his mother as a new patient.