R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-39-1: Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Elective surgical procedure” means any non-emergency surgical procedure that may be scheduled at the convenience of the patient or the surgeon without jeopardizing the patient’s life or causing serious impairment to the patient’s bodily functions.

(2) “Eligible physician” means a physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery who holds the rank of diplomate of an American board (M.D.) or certified specialist (D.O.) in the surgical or medical specialty for which surgery is proposed.

(3) “Second surgical opinion” means an opinion of an eligible physician based on that physician’s examination of a person for the purpose of evaluating the medical advisability of that person undergoing an elective surgical procedure. The examinations must be performed after another physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery has proposed to perform the surgical procedure on the person but prior to the performance of the surgical procedure.