The prefix ‘Dr’, as it misleads patients and general public, potentially leading to quackery.
New Delhi - In a significant move, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) has barred physiotherapists across India from using the prefix 'Dr' before their names. The directive, which has sent ripples through the physiotherapy community, aims to prevent confusion among patients who may mistakenly believe they are being treated by a medical doctor.
The order came in a letter from DGHS Dr. Sunita Sharma to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), a body that had raised strong objections to physiotherapists using the title. The primary concern highlighted is that patients could be misled.In her letter, Dr. Sharma stated, “Physiotherapists are not trained as medical doctors and, therefore, should not use the prefix ‘Dr’, as it misleads patients and general public, potentially leading to quackery.”
Key Points of the Directive:
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No 'Dr' Prefix: Physiotherapists are no longer entitled to use the "Dr" prefix.[1]
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Patient Safety: The decision was made to avoid misleading patients into thinking they are consulting a medical doctor.[1][3]
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Regulatory Backing: The DGHS, a major regulatory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, issued the directive, citing legal pronouncements and advisory orders from various courts and medical councils.
The timing of this announcement has been particularly striking, as it was issued on September 9, just one day after World Physiotherapy Day.This was a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the profession for its vital role in healthcare.
The DGHS has also directed that the approved syllabus for physiotherapy be amended to remove the usage of the 'Dr' prefix. Instead, it has been suggested that a "more appropriate and respectful title may be considered" for physiotherapy graduates and postgraduates, which does not create ambiguity for the public.
This move reverses a previous notification from the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) in April 2025, which had permitted physiotherapists to use 'Dr' as a prefix. The IMA and other medical bodies strongly protested that decision, leading to this recent U-turn by the Centre.Legal action could be taken against those who violate this directive under the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916.
Original Source Credit : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/physiotherapists-not-entitled-to-use-dr-prefix-dghs-101757504017214.html