{"id":360177,"date":"2025-09-15T14:30:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T09:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=360177"},"modified":"2025-09-15T15:07:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T09:37:33","slug":"dghs-use-of-dr-by-physiotherapists-directive-under-examination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/09\/15\/dghs-use-of-dr-by-physiotherapists-directive-under-examination\/","title":{"rendered":"Use of \u201cDr.\u201d by Physiotherapists Under Examination: DGHS Directive Withdrawn for Review"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On 9-9-2025, the Director General of Health Services<\/span> (‘DGHS’), under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare<\/span>, issued a directive stating that physiotherapists are not entitled to use the prefix “Dr.”<\/span>. The directive was in response to professional concerns raised by multiple medical bodies and is currently under further examination<\/span> following its withdrawal.<\/p>\n

Background:<\/h3>\n

The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP)<\/span>, a statutory body under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, released the “Competency Based Curriculum for Physiotherapy — Approved Syllabus 2025<\/span>,” recommending the use of “Dr.”<\/span> and “PT”<\/span> for physiotherapists.<\/p>\n

This proposal drew criticism from several medical organizations, who deemed it misleading and legally problematic.<\/p>\n

Objections:<\/h3>\n

DGHS outlined several reasons why physiotherapists should not use the prefix “Dr.”:<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    Misrepresentation of Qualifications<\/span>:<\/p>\n