Physiotherapists Can Use ‘Dr’ Prefix Again After DG Health Services' U-Turn
DGHS Dr Sunita Sharma said that representations have been received on the matter, which require further examination and deliberations.
Published : September 10, 2025 at 5:56 PM IST
|Updated : September 11, 2025 at 1:33 PM IST
New Delhi: The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has withdrawn its letter barring physiotherapists from using the “Dr” prefix in India. It stated that the matter needs further examination and deliberation.
“This is with reference to the D.O. letter No.Z.28017/91/2025-SAS-III (FTS.8356966) dated September 9th, 2025, regarding the use of the prefix “Dr” and suffix “PT” by physiotherapists in India. Thereafter, representations have been received on the matter which require further examination and deliberations. Hence, the aforesaid D.O. letter may be treated as withdrawn, as the matter required further examination,” the letter issued by Director General Health Services, Prof. (Dr) Sunita Sharma, on Wednesday stated.
Earlier, the director general had sent a letter to the president of the Indian Medical Council (IMA), stating that a more appropriate and respectful title may be considered for graduates and postgraduates of physiotherapy, without causing ambiguity to patients or the public. The directive issued on Tuesday had warned against the use of the title ‘Dr’ by physiotherapists in violation of various legal provisions. It followed objections from medical associations, including the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR), and cited court rulings and advisories that prohibited physiotherapists from identifying themselves as doctors.
“Physiotherapists are 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. Physiotherapists should not be permitted to practice primary care and should only treat referred patients, as they are not trained to diagnose medical conditions that may worsen with inappropriate physiotherapy interventions,” the DGHS said, quoting the objections raised by IAPMR.
The Ethics Committee of the Council (Paramedical & Physiotherapy Central Council Bill, 2007) had decided that the title ‘Doctor’ (Dr) may only be used by registered medical practitioners of modern medicine, Ayurveda, homoeopathy, and Unani. No other category of medical professionals, including nursing and paramedical staff, is permitted to use this title.
“The General Body had also obtained a legal opinion, which stated that any physiotherapist using the title ‘Doctor’ without holding a recognised medical qualification would be violating provisions of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916. Such a violation attracts action under Section 7 of the Act for contravention of Sections 6 & 6A. This legal opinion was adopted by the Council in its meeting held on 23.03.2004. Accordingly, the Committee reiterated that persons with qualifications in physiotherapy are not entitled to use the prefix ‘Dr’ under any circumstances whatsoever,” the letter further stated.
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