“In this regard, it is stated that the above recommendation is contrary to legal pronouncements and advisory orders issued by various courts and medical councils in the country,” the DGHS said. Photo: https://dghs.mohfw.gov.in/
Physiotherapists are not entitled to use the prefix “Dr.”, which is reserved only for registered medical practitioners, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) has said in a directive.
In a letter to the Indian Medical Association, the DGHS said that the Directorate had received several representations and strong objections from various organisations, including the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, regarding the use of the prefix ‘Dr.’ and suffix ‘PT’ by physiotherapists.
It said that the issue arises from the Competency-based Curriculum for Physiotherapy Approved Syllabus 2025, published by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on March 23 .
Listing the points of concern that have been highlighted, the Directorate said that physiotherapists were not trained as medical doctors and, therefore, should not use the prefix ‘Dr.’ as it misleads patients and the general public, potentially leading to quackery.
Additionally, physiotherapists should not be permitted primary care practice, and should only treat referred patients as they were not trained to diagnose medical conditions, some of which may worsen with inappropriate physiotherapy intervention.
“In this regard, it is stated that the above recommendation is contrary to legal pronouncements and advisory orders issued by various courts and medical councils in the country,” the DGHS said.
It added that the Ethics Committee of the Council Bill, 2007 had earlier decided that the title ‘Doctor’ may only be used by registered practitioners of modern medicine, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy and Unani.
No other category of medical professionals, including nursing and paramedical staff, is allowed to use the title, the letter said, adding that the general body had also obtained a legal opinion, which stated that any physiotherapist using the title ‘Doctor’, without holding a recognised medical qualification, would be violating provisions of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916.
Published – September 11, 2025 04:46 am IST
