§ 45:1-68 — Findings, declarations relative to identification of health care professionals.

2. The Legislature finds and declares that: a. There are a multitude of professional degrees using the term "doctor," including "medical doctor" (M.D.); "doctor of osteopathy" (D.O.); "doctor of dental surgery" (D.D.S.); "doctor of medicine in dentistry" (D.M.D.); "doctor of podiatric medicine" (D.P.M.); "doctor of optometry" (O.D.); "doctor of chiropractic" (D.C.); "doctor of nursing" (D.N.); "doctor of psychology" (PhD);" and other designations which may be used by health care professionals. b. A July 2018 study by the American Medical Association found that 27 percent of patients erroneously believe that a chiropractor is a medical doctor; 39 percent of patients erroneously believe that a doctor of nursing practice is a medical doctor; 43 percent of patients erroneously believe that a psychologist is a medical doctor; 47 percent of patients erroneously believe that an optometrist is a medical doctor; and 67 percent of patients erroneously believe a podiatrist is a medical doctor. c. There are widespread differences regarding the training and qualifications required to earn the degrees of the health care professionals subject to P.L.2020, c.133 (C.45:1-67 et seq.). These differences often concern the training and skills necessary to correctly detect, diagnose, prevent, and treat serious health care conditions. d. There is a compelling State interest in patients being promptly and clearly informed of the training and qualifications of the health care professionals who provide health care services. e. There is a compelling State interest in the public being protected from potentially misleading and deceptive health care advertising that might cause patients to have undue expectations regarding their treatment and outcome. L.2020, c.133, s.2.