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DGHS directs removal of “Dr” prefix from physiotherapy curriculum to avoid patient confusion, citing court rulings and risk of quackery.
In a significant development, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has directed changes to the newly introduced Competency Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy, 2025, asking for the removal of the “Dr” prefix for physiotherapy graduates.
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The DGHS, which functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, noted that the usage of “Dr” by physiotherapists is misleading and can confuse patients into believing they are consulting a medical doctor. “Physiotherapists are not trained as medical doctors and should not present themselves as such, as it could mislead the public and lead to quackery,” DGHS Director General Dr. Sunita Sharma stated.
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The letter to the Indian Medical Association (IMA) highlighted objections raised by the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR) and referenced multiple court rulings, including those by the Patna High Court (2003), Bengaluru Court (2020), and Madras High Court (2022). These judgments have consistently held that the “Dr” prefix is reserved for registered medical practitioners.
The DGHS also reminded that using “Dr” without a recognised medical degree is a violation of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916, and could invite legal action. It further directed that physiotherapists work on referral from doctors, not as independent primary care providers.
The ministry has recommended that a “more appropriate and respectful title” be created for physiotherapy graduates, one that reflects their professional expertise but does not confuse the public.
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