The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has clarified that physiotherapists are not medical doctors and should not use the prefix “Dr.” with their names.
In a letter dated September 9, DGHS official Dr. Sunita Sharma stated that doing so would be a violation of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916. “Physiotherapists are not trained as medical doctors. Using the ‘Dr.’ prefix misleads patients and the public, and may encourage quackery,” the letter said. It was addressed to Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, National President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
Dr. Sharma further added that physiotherapists should not act as primary care providers and must only treat patients referred by qualified doctors. “They are not trained to diagnose medical conditions, and inappropriate physiotherapy can worsen certain ailments,” she said.
The DGHS letter also referred to earlier court rulings such as those from the Patna and Madras High Courts and advisories from medical councils, all of which barred physiotherapists and occupational therapists from using the “Dr.” prefix.
This directive contradicts an April 2025 announcement by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), which had allowed physiotherapists to use “Dr.” as a prefix and “PT” as a suffix as part of the new physiotherapy curriculum launched under the Union Health Ministry.
The DGHS stressed that the Council’s Ethics Committee, under the Paramedical and Physiotherapy Central Council Bill, 2007, had earlier ruled that the “Dr.” title may only be used by practitioners of modern medicine, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Unani. Nursing and paramedical professionals, including physiotherapists, were excluded from this provision.
The letter also warned that violations could invite action under Section 7 of the Indian Medical Degrees Act for breaching Sections 6 and 6A.
“It is directed that the use of the prefix ‘Dr.’ in the 2025 Physiotherapy Curriculum be withdrawn immediately. A more suitable title should be adopted for physiotherapy graduates and postgraduates that respects their profession but avoids misleading patients and the public,” the DGHS said.
