In a directive issued by the director general of health services, it has been stated that physiotherapists do not have the right to use the prefix “Dr”, which is exclusively for registered medical practitioners. Dr. Sunita Sharma, in a letter to Indian Medical Association (IMA) President Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, noted that numerous representations and objections from various organizations, including the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR), have been received regarding physiotherapists using the prefix “Dr” and the suffix “PT”.
The IAPMR pointed out that this issue stems from the Competency Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy Approved Syllabus 2025, published by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on March 23. The syllabus states that the title should be “Physiotherapist” with the prefix “Dr” and suffix “PT”. In her letter dated September 9, Sharma outlined concerns, emphasizing that physiotherapists lack the training to be considered medical doctors and that their use of the prefix “Dr” could mislead patients and the public, potentially encouraging quackery.
She also highlighted that physiotherapists should not engage in primary care practice and should only treat patients who have been referred to them, as they are not equipped to diagnose medical conditions that might worsen with inappropriate physiotherapy treatment. Furthermore, Sharma asserted that this recommendation contradicts legal rulings and advisory orders from various courts and medical councils in the country.
