What does the term "health practitioner" exclude according to the regulations?

The term "health practitioner" in the context of Maryland regulations typically refers to individuals who are licensed to provide various health services, such as diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. The specific exclusion of an emergency medical dispatcher from the definition of a "health practitioner" is based on the role that these dispatchers play. Unlike licensed healthcare providers such as psychologists, medical doctors, or registered nurses who are involved directly in patient care, emergency medical dispatchers primarily function to manage emergency calls, provide first-responder instructions, and facilitate the coordination of medical services, but they do not provide direct medical care themselves. This delineation highlights the specific roles within the healthcare system, underscoring that while emergency medical dispatchers are critical to emergency response, they do not fall under the traditional definitions of health care practitioners who are licensed to perform diagnosis and treatment.