The Directorate General of Health Services, or DGHS, has said that physiotherapists should not be using the title “Dr” as they are not medical doctors.
In a letter dated September 9, Dr Sunita Sharma said using the prefix confuses patients and is against the law.
The letter, addressed to the Indian Medical Association, or IMA, says that several groups – including the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, or IAPMR – had raised objections to the provision in the Competency-Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy, 2025. The government health body has now asked for changes in the new physiotherapy curriculum as well.
The syllabus was issued in April this year, which suggested that physiotherapy graduates could use “Dr” before their name, along with the suffix “PT”. However, the DGHS noted that physiotherapists are not trained as medical doctors and should not present themselves as such. The letter also said that physiotherapists should work on referral from doctors and not as primary carers. The body has also pointed out that courts and medical councils have repeatedly ruled against the use of “Dr” by physiotherapists.
Earlier courts and medical councils banned physiotherapists from using Dr
Earlier courts and medical councils have banned physiotherapists from using the prefix, but NCAHP has allowed them to use “Dr” under the 2025 Physiotherapy Curriculum. A 2003 judgement from the Patna High Court, another 2020 Bengaluru court verdict, and the recent 2022 judgement from Madras High Court, along with advisories from the Tamil Nadu Medical Council, have all made it clear that the prefix is reserved only for registered medical practitioners.
However, the DGHS has clarified that only registered medical doctors in modern medicine, Ayurveda, homoeopathy, or Unani can use “Dr”. Others, including paramedical staff, are barred from using it, and anyone breaking the rule may face legal action as a violation of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916.
What does a physiotherapist do?
A physical therapist, or physiotherapist, helps you improve how your body performs physical movements. They manage symptoms like pain, stiffness, and discomfort with the help of rehabilitation techniques.
Many people work with a physical therapist while recovering from an injury or surgery. However, apart from that, you can also work with a physiotherapist if you are suffering from certain health conditions like arthritis. A physical therapist will develop a customised set of exercises and movements to help you move your body, helping you:
- Manage pain.
- Improve your range of motion.
- Manage symptoms of a health condition that affects your mobility.
- Recover from injuries and prevent future damage.