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The Kerala High Court has held that physiotherapists and occupational therapists who do not have the recognised medical qualification cannot use the prefix ‘Dr.’ with their name. The court was hearing a plea by the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation that sought an interim order that physiotherapists and occupational therapy professionals should not proclaim themselves as first health-care provider and to ensure that their professional services were confined as a supporting group for and under qualified medical professionals. A Bench of Justice V.G. Arun observed that there is an apparent conflict between the provisions of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916, and the clauses in the Competency-based Curriculum for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. Moreover, an order of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had directed that the usage of the prefix ‘Dr.’ be removed for physiotherapists in the Competency-based Curriculum for Physiotherapy – Approved Syllabus, 2025. This was on the premise that any physiotherapist using the title ‘Doctor’ without holding a recognised medical qualification would be violating the provisions of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916. The court further directed the competent authorities to ensure that the prefix ‘Dr.’ is not used by physiotherapists and occupational therapists without recognised medical qualification. The matter has been posted for hearing on December 1.
