After IMA protests, Centre prohibits physiotherapists from using prefix ‘Dr’

Hyderabad: The Centre has prohibited physiotherapists from using the prefix ‘Dr.’

The move follows strong protests by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which has over four lakh members, and other medical bodies.

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), under the Union Health Ministry, issued the directive on September 9, a day after World Physiotherapy Day was observed globally.

PM Modi Recognises Physiotherapists’ Role

On the same occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X acknowledging the contributions of physiotherapists. He wrote that they play “a vital role in enhancing the well-being and dignity of people, particularly the elderly.”

Earlier Approval Withdrawn

Physiotherapists were permitted to use the prefix ‘Dr’ after the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, published its competency-based curriculum for physiotherapy on March 23. However, the latest directive has now withdrawn this recognition.

DGHS Clarification

In the letter, Dr. Sunita Sharma of the DGHS stated:

“By using the ‘Dr’ prefix, physiotherapists will be in legal violation of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916.”

She further noted that “a more appropriate and respectful title may be considered for graduates and postgraduates of physiotherapy, without causing ambiguity to patients or the public.”

Concerns Raised by Medical Bodies

The DGHS letter also referred to objections it had received from several organisations, including the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, over the use of the ‘Dr.’ prefix and ‘PT’ suffix by physiotherapists.

Listing the points of concern, the Directorate said:

“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.”

It further stated that 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.”

Legal and Ethical Position

The DGHS underlined that the latest recommendation aligns with earlier court rulings and medical council advisories. “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 letter said.

It added that the Ethics Committee of the Council Bill, 2007, had previously decided that the title ‘Doctor’ may be used only 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 DGHS said, noting that legal opinion obtained earlier also stated that any physiotherapist using the title without holding a recognised medical qualification would violate the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916.