Permission to apply physiotherapist finishesImage Credit Source: Getty Images
Physiotherapist Dr prefix ban: We call all the people who treat the disease as doctors, Lokin has now changed the rules. Who has to apply a doctor in front of his name and who will not be strictly followed. Let us tell you that now physiotherapists cannot use the word doctor in front of their name.
The Directorate General of Health Services has issued an order, under which physiotherapists cannot start their name from Dr. In this regard, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Sunita Sharma said that from now on, only medical doctors can apply doctors in front of their names. Physiotherapists are not allowed to use this title, as it creates confusion among patients and common people and can promote ‘quackry’ (fake treatment).
What is the whole matter
In its letter, the DGHS said that the Directorate has received several memorandum and strict objections from various organizations including the Indian Physical Medical and Rehabilitation Association (IAPMR) regarding the imposition of ‘Dr.’ and ‘PT’ in front of the physiotherapists in India. Citing the objections raised by IAPMR, DGHS said that physiotherapists are not trained as a medical doctor, so they should not use ‘Dr.’, as it misleads patients and general public, which potentially promotes fraud.
Why questions on the title ‘Doctor’ (Dr.) of physiotherapists
Physiotherapists should not be allowed to provide first aid and they should only treat referred patients, as they are not trained to treat medical conditions that can deteriorate with improper physiotherapy intervention.
Physiotherapists’ ‘Doctor’ (Dr.) is illegal
The letter further states, “Patna High Court, Tamil Nadu Medical Council, Bangalore Court and Madras High Court have already ruled on the fact that if a physiotherapist Dr. Title applies without medical registration, then it is illegal.
Physioticulum 2025
Dr. Sunita Sharma has also requested that the new physiotherapy curriculum 2025, recently released by NCAHP, in Dr. Do not be used, instead use clear and respectable titles like physiotherapist, so that patients do not misunderstand.