New Delhi, September 10 (IANS). The Directorate General of Health Services issued a directive asking physiotherapists not to use the word ‘doctor’ in front of their names, as they are not a medical doctor.
In a letter written on 9 September, DGHS Dr. Sunita Sharma said that if the physiotherapist is in front of his name ‘Dr.’ If we use it, it will be a legal violation of the Indian Medical degree Act, 1916.
In a letter to IMA National President Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, Sharma said, “Physiotherapists are not trained as a medical doctor, so he ‘Dr.” It should not be used, as it misleads patients and general public, which potentially promotes fraud. “
He further said, “Physiotherapists should not be allowed to work in first aid method and they should only treat referred patients, as they are not trained to diagnose medical conditions. Their unfair physiotherapy advice can also spoil the case.”
The letter also cited former legal announcements and advisory orders issued by various courts including Patna and Madras High Courts and Medical Councils across the country, in which physiotherapists/professional doctors are ‘Dr.’. The word is banned from using.
In April, the National Affairs and Health Services Business Commission (NCAHP) announced that physiotherapists can now put ‘doctors’ and further ‘PT’ in front of their names.
The decision has been taken by the NCAHP as a part of the inauguration of the 2025 physiotherapy course under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
DGHS said, “It would be appropriate to mention that the Paramedical Committee of the Council (Paramedical and Physiotherapy Central Council Bill, 2007) had earlier decided that the title of ‘Doctor’ (Doctor) can only be used by registered doctors of modern medicine, Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani Medicine. Nursing and paramedical staff can only be allowed to use this degree. Is.”
The letter further states that on any violation of any violation, “Action can be taken under Section 7 for violation of Section 6 and 6A of the IMA Act”, as the council adopted a legal opinion in its meeting in March 2004.
The letter said, “It is instructed that qualification based course for physiotherapy, approved course 2025 for physiotherapist ‘Dr.’. The use of prefixes should be removed immediately. For graduates of physiotherapy and postgraduate students, a more suitable and respectable degree can be considered, without creating ambiguity to the patients or the public. “
-IANS
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