Setting the Record Straight: Physiotherapists and the Use of ‘Dr.’ Prefix

Today, several media houses rushed to publish articles claiming that physiotherapists in India are “not entitled” to use the prefix Dr. The basis of their reporting was a Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) communication dated 9th September 2025. What these publications failed to mention is that the very next day, the DGHS officially withdrew this letter, acknowledging that the matter requires further deliberation.

By ignoring this crucial development, the premature and one-sided coverage has not only misinformed the public but also tarnished the reputation of the physiotherapy profession —a profession that plays a vital role in rehabilitation, recovery, and public health.

1.      DGHS Order Withdrawn

On 10th September 2025, the DGHS, under Prof. (Dr.) Sunita Sharma, issued a formal communication clearly stating that the earlier letter (dated 9th September) is to be treated as withdrawn. The withdrawal was made after receiving multiple representations highlighting the flaws and the lack of consultation in the original directive. Hence, any news article citing the withdrawn letter as “final” is factually incorrect and misleading.

2.      Who Has Authority Over Physiotherapists?

·         The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is not a statutory body. It is a registered association of doctors, not a regulatory authority.

·         IMA has no legal power over physiotherapists or their professional titles. Its opinions, however strongly worded, remain just that: opinions.

·         The only competent authority to regulate physiotherapy in India is the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), established under the NCAHP Act, 2021. This Act explicitly governs physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other allied health professionals.

3.      Entitlement to ‘Dr.’ Prefix

Physiotherapists undergo five years of rigorous training (BPT), followed by postgraduate (MPT) and doctoral studies in rehabilitation sciences. Globally, physiotherapists with a professional doctorate (DPT/PhD) are recognised as “Doctors of Physiotherapy.”

·         Under the NCAHP framework, physiotherapists are recognised as independent healthcare professionals.

·         The prefix Dr. when suffixed with (PT) (e.g., Dr. XYZ (PT)) is both appropriate and ethical, clearly distinguishing physiotherapists from medical doctors while maintaining their professional identity.

4.      Media Responsibility and Defamation

 It is deeply disappointing that sections of the media published half-truths without verifying the full context. By failing to mention the withdrawal of the letter, these reports have:

·         Misinformed patients, leading to unnecessary distrust.

·          Undermined the credibility of thousands of physiotherapists across India.

·         Ignored the statutory role of NCAHP while projecting IMA’s opinion as a “legal directive.”

Such reporting not only damages a profession but also indirectly harms the patients who depend on physiotherapists for recovery from pain, disability, and post-surgical rehabilitation.

5.      The Way Forward

Physiotherapists are not “quacks” misusing a title — they are qualified professionals, legally recognised under NCAHP, working in hospitals, ICUs, neurological centers, sports medicine, and community health. The prefix Dr. with (PT) is not a claim to practice medicine but a rightful representation of their doctorate-level education and expertise in physiotherapy.

It is time the media acknowledges its responsibility and corrects the narrative. The public deserves facts, not misrepresentations. Physiotherapists deserve respect, not defamation.

Conclusion: The truth is simple — physiotherapists are entitled to use “Dr.” with PT under NCAHP, and the DGHS has already withdrawn its earlier objection. Anything else is misinformation.

Nagaland Registered Physiotherapists