High Court Rules Physiotherapists Cannot Use ‘Doctor’ Prefix

Kochi: The High Court has ruled that it is not legal for physiotherapists and occupational therapists without recognized medical degrees to prefix ‘Doctor’ to their names. Justice V.G. Arun directed in an interim order that authorities must ensure therapists do not use this term.

The court pointed out that according to the Indian Medical Degrees Act of 1916, there is a directive from the Union Health Ministry stating that it is not correct for therapists to use ‘Doctor’.

The court was considering a petition filed by the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, an organization of specialist medical doctors, demanding that therapists be prevented from using ‘Doctor’. The High Court issued notices to the National Medical Commission, among others, in the petition. The case will be heard again on December 1st.