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.