Physiotherapists are highly trained healthcare professionals who specialise in physical therapy.  In a judgment released by the Supreme Court (SC) back in 1996, it was held that the medical practitioners who have MBBS degrees can only referred to as Doctors. Physiotherapists cannot prefix their name with the title of 'Dr'.

Physiotherapy under the NCAHP draft rules and regulations has been defined as a "system of medicine" after recognising the DCPTOT definition.

UG Duration: 5 years (1 year rotatory internship)

the curriculum states that it is the responsibility of the institute to train physiotherapists in all specialties and super specialities of modern medicine to prepare him/her as an independent clinical practitioner.

All existing state councils such as JSCPT, HSCPT, DCPTOT and MCOTPT register Physiotherapists with prefix 'Dr.'.

I don't state opinions as an answer to a question, I state facts, You can verify my claims through RP lists on official websites, original copies of acts and National Physiotherapy handbook 2023 by NCAHP. The information mentioned is exactly the way I have stated here.

The general body of IAP in 1984 (Lucknow Conference) had resolved that their members may prefix ’Dr’ with their names and suffix (Physiotherapist) or (PT) to denote their profession so as not to cause confusion with entity of physician, surgeon or dentist.

Please check the link.

https://www.physiotherapyindia.org/news-events/notices/3579-open-letter-to-dr-s-s-agarwal-and-dr-k-k-aggarwal-regarding-defaming-physiotherapy-profession.html

PHYSIOTHERAPY ARE ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PRACTIONER  ONLY BY HOLISTIC APPROACH  NATURAL FORM OF TREATMENT  ONLY NOT TECHNICIAN

No, Physiotherapists can not use the prefix 'Dr'.

The physiotherapists are rehabilitation professionals who are registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, in the matter titled as “Poonam Verma versus Ashwin Patel, CA No. 8856/1994 dated 10.05.1996 has held that:

"A person who does not have knowledge of a particular System of Medicine but practices in that System is a Quack and a mere pretender to medical knowledge or skill, or to put it differently, a Charlatan.”

In view of the above landmark judgment, it is stated that the person who possesses recognized qualification / knowledge of a particular system of medicine is only authorized to practice in that particular system of medicine. If a person practices in any other system of medicine of which he does not possesses recognized qualification / knowledge, then that person would be considered as a quack i.e. a mere pretender to medical knowledge or skill, or a charlatan.

https://www.ima-india.org/ima/left-side-bar.php?pid=476

Medicine used to be an elite profession not as It is unfortunate to see that paramedics like physiotherapists are calling themselves ‘Doctor’ and prescribing medicine and tests despite the Supreme Court order banning all physios from affixing the Dr prefix and prescribing tests or scans.

If physios can prefix Dr and prescribe medicines then what about the nurses? Can they too open a nursing home?

Can an OT assistant open an operation theatre?

It is ridiculous to let run a clinic by paramedics. Only allopathy, AYUSH, dentists can call themselves doctors.  The role of physiotherapists is to assist the doctors in the rehabilitation.- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/dr-dhruva-prasaf/physiotherapists-continue-to-put-dr-prefix-illegally-4559/

Indian Medical Association

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS CANNOT USE THE PREFIX “Dr”

IMA WHITE PAPER

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS CANNOT USE THE PREFIX "DR"

The Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as “RCI Act”) is enacted to provide for the constitution of the Rehabilitation Council of India for regulating the training of rehabilitation professions and the maintenance of a Central Rehabilitation Register and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

According to Section 2(i)(n)(xvii) of RCI Act, the term “physiotherapist” means a Rehabilitation professional. Thus, the physiotherapists in India are regulated by the provisions of RCI Act and its Rules and Regulations and not by any other Act or law in India.

According to Section 13(2) of RCI Act mandates that no person other than a rehabilitation professional who possess a recognized rehabilitation qualification and enrolled in the register shall practice as a rehabilitation professional anywhere in India.

Hi dear,



Physiotherapists can use the title Dr. and write it in front of their name, the Indian Association of Physiotherapists(IAP) has said.

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is a post-baccalaureate 3-4 year degree which may be conferred upon successful completion of a professional doctoral program.



Hope this helps

Hello aspirant!

Answering your question-

PHYSIOTHERAPY is  a paramedical stream. According to variously supreme court judgements, a physiotherapist can prefix Dr. to his/her name, when he/she has finished doctorate. Only a registered medical practitioner can call himself a doctor and prefix Dr. to their name.

Yes the person who have done a degree course in PHYSIOTHERAPY are considered as doctors.

Hope you got your answer.