The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has mandated that physiotherapists are not authorized to utilize the prefix ‘Dr.’ This directive, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, stipulates that the ‘Dr.’ designation is reserved exclusively for registered medical practitioners. The matter is currently under further review by the DGHS. A letter from Dr. Sunita Sharma of the DGHS to Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, the IMA National President, conveyed that a committee had reaffirmed the prohibition on physiotherapists using the ‘Dr.’ prefix. The directive explicitly states that physiotherapists are not permitted to use this title under any circumstances. The letter, dated September 9th, instructed the removal of the ‘Dr.’ prefix from the Competency Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy – Approved Syllabus 2025. It also suggested the consideration of an alternative, respectful title for physiotherapy graduates and postgraduates to avoid potential ambiguity for patients and the public. The DGHS cited multiple appeals and objections from various organizations regarding the use of the ‘Dr.’ prefix, including the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR). Furthermore, a legal opinion obtained by the General Body indicated that any physiotherapist using the title ‘Doctor’ without a recognized medical qualification would be in violation of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916. The legal opinion, adopted by the Council on March 23, 2004, reinforced the committee’s decision that physiotherapists are not entitled to use the ‘Dr.’ prefix.
