6 months ago
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The Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR) has welcomed the Kerala High Court’s interim bid directing the authorities to guarantee that the prefix ‘Dr.’ is not utilized by physiotherapists and occupational therapists who bash not clasp recognised aesculapian degrees.
The bid connected November 4, 2025 followed a petition filed by the relation against the alleged unauthorised usage of the prefix by physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Justice V.G. Arun observed successful the bid that determination existed an evident struggle betwixt the provisions of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916, and the clauses successful the Competency-Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (Approved Syllabus 2025) issued by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions. The lawsuit is present posted for further proceeding connected December 1.
P.C. Muralidharan, president of IAPMR, said successful a connection that the interim absorption reinforced the presumption that the rubric ‘Dr.’ is protected nether the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916, and that physiotherapy and occupational therapy professionals relation arsenic captious supportive healthcare providers nether the supervision of qualified aesculapian professionals, not arsenic autarkic first-contact practitioners.
Dr. Muraleedharan said the bid besides upheld the integrity of the aesculapian assemblage and clarified the rightful relation of allied wellness professionals wrong the healthcare system.
Harshanand Popalwar, honorary secretary, IAPMR, and a petitioner successful the case, said this was a important measurement towards preventing nonrecreational misrepresentation and ensuring that the nationalist was not misled astir the qualifications of healthcare providers.
Reiterates enactment for role
The association, however, reiterated that it afloat supported the relation of physiotherapists and occupational therapists arsenic captious members of the rehabilitation team, portion maintaining that the usage of aesculapian titles should beryllium restricted to those holding duly recognised aesculapian qualifications arsenic per law.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) had connected September 9 issued a directive to the Indian Medical Association barring physiotherapists from utilizing the prefix ‘Dr.’ on with their names. In the directive, the DGHS said physiotherapists were not trained arsenic aesculapian doctors and, therefore, should not usage the prefix ‘Dr.’ arsenic it could mislead patients and the wide public, and perchance pb to quackery.
It was pointed retired that a much “appropriate” and “respectful title” could beryllium considered for the undergraduates and postgraduates successful physiotherapy, without causing ambiguity to the patients and the public.
However, conscionable a time later, the DGHS withdrew the bid saying further representations had been received connected this substance which necessitate further introspection and deliberations.
