consultantsChannel.onsignal = function(e) {
        console.log('received signal ' + JSON.stringify(e.data));

        var packet;
        try {
            packet = JSON.parse(e.data);
        } catch (e) {
            console.log('Unable to parse data. - consultantsChannel');
            return;
        }
        // fast consult

        if(packet.type == '".Signal::CONSULT_REQUEST."' && is_available && !during_consult) {
            $('#consult-accept').data('hash', packet.data.hash);
            $('#consult-request-modal .symptoms').text(packet.data.symptoms);

            // for all consultants
            if(packet.data.docId == null) {
                if(is_employee  && packet.data.iteration == 1){
                    $('#consult-request-modal').modal('show');
                    playSound();
                }
                else if(!is_employee && packet.data.iteration > 1){
                    $('#consult-request-modal').modal('show');
                    playSound();
                }
            }
            //selected consultant
            else if (packet.data.docId != null && packet.data.docId == user_id) {

                    $('#consult-request-modal').modal('show');
                    playSound();
            }

        }
        else if(packet.type == '".Signal::CONSULT_ACCEPT."') {
            $('#consult-request-modal').modal('hide');
        }
    }