DGHS Directive on Prefix Usage
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has issued a directive stating that physiotherapists are not permitted to use the title 'Dr.' This designation is exclusively reserved for registered medical practitioners, and the issue is currently under further review.
In a letter addressed to the IMA National President, Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, DGHS official Dr. Sunita Sharma emphasized that an official committee has confirmed that individuals with physiotherapy qualifications must refrain from using the 'Dr.' prefix under any circumstances.
The letter, dated September 9, instructed that the prefix 'Dr.' should be eliminated from the Competency Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy - Approved Syllabus 2025. It suggested that a more suitable and respectful title be considered for physiotherapy graduates and postgraduates, ensuring clarity for patients and the public.
The DGHS has received numerous appeals and strong objections from various organizations regarding the use of the 'Dr.' prefix and the suffix 'PT', including the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR).
The General Body of IAPMR sought legal advice, which indicated that any physiotherapist using the title 'Doctor' without a recognized medical qualification would be infringing upon the Indian Medical Degrees Act of 1916. Such an infringement could lead to legal action under Section 7 of the Act for violating Sections 6 and 6A.
This legal opinion was ratified by the Council during a meeting on March 23, 2004. Consequently, the committee reaffirmed that individuals with physiotherapy qualifications are not authorized to use the 'Dr.' prefix under any circumstances.
