As used in sections 191.600 to 191.615, the following terms shall mean:

1. (1) "Areas of defined need", areas designated by the department pursuant to section 191.605, when services of a physician are needed to improve the patient-doctor ratio in the area, to contribute professional physician services to an area of economic impact, or to contribute professional physician services to an area suffering from the effects of a natural disaster;
2. (2) "Department", the department of health;
3. (3) "Primary care physician", physicians licensed and registered pursuant to chapter 334, RSMo, engaged in general or family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics or obstetrics and gynecology as their primary specialties, and who are providing such primary care services to the general population.

(L. 1988 H.B. 1380 § 2)