Final answer:
The length of a medical appointment can vary based on specific client, appointment type, and veterinarian, but not the patient qua patient. Examples such as a medical researcher and a counselor employing random selection methods clarify that it is the method of selection, not the individual's identity, that influences the duration of an appointment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which factor does not vary the length of an appointment. For medical appointments, the length can vary based on the specific client as different clients may have unique needs requiring longer or shorter visits. The appointment type also influences the length since some appointments, like follow-ups, are typically shorter, while initial consultations or surgeries may be longer. The veterinarian's schedule and personal pace can affect appointment times as well since some may work quicker than others or require more time for consultation. However, the patient in question, in terms of the reason they are coming in (not their personal or medical details), generally does not determine the appointment length because the length is predetermined by other factors such as the complexity of the medical issue and the services required.
Examples illustrating this point might include:
- d. A medical researcher interviews every third cancer patient from a list of cancer patients at a local hospital.
- e. A high school counselor uses a computer to generate 50 random numbers and then picks students whose names correspond to the numbers.
Both examples demonstrate scenarios where the selection of individuals is based on a method that does not directly relate to how long an appointment or session will last.