IAP general secretary Dr. Sanjiv Kumar Jha (P.T.) said: Physiotherapists prefixes Dr.

as per the
resolution of IAP, we have also warned IMA and MCI for defaming the physiotherapists as they
have no statutory power to regulate physiotherapy profession in India, hence no right to publish
wrong information about physiotherapy as a whole. Every clinical health professional writes Dr.
before their name as a matter of tradition and convention and no one is allowed to write Dr.
before their name if she or he is having no Ph.D. or M.D. as a matter of right.''
It is relevant to mention here that we prefix `Dr.' and suffix (P.T.) after the name as per the
resolution and we also write physiotherapist clearly. In fact we are the only professionals in
health profession who are using suffix (physiotherapist) after their name. Physiotherapists are
giving treatment by physical means and they never prescribe any drugs,'' he added.

According To Who

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists assess, plan and implement rehabilitative programs that

improve or restore human motor functions, maximize movement ability, relieve pain
syndromes, and treat or prevent physical challenges associated with injuries,
diseases and other impairments. They apply a broad range of physical therapies
and techniques such as movement, ultrasound, heating, laser and other techniques.
They may develop and implement programmes for screening and
prevention of common physical ailments and disorders.
Physiotherapist, Geriatric physical therapist, Orthopaedic physical therapist,
Paediatric physical therapist
This category includes occupations for which competent performance usually
requires formal training at a higher educational institution in
physiotherapy or a related field.

Paramedical practitioners
Paramedical practitioners (including clinical officers and related) provide advisory,
diagnostic, curative and preventive medical services more limited in scope and
complexity than those carried out by medical doctors. They work
autonomously or with limited supervision of medical doctors, and perform clinical,

therapeutic and surgical procedures for treating and preventing diseases, injuries,
and other physical or mental impairments common to specific communities.
Clinical officer, Primary care paramedic, Advanced care paramedic, Surgical
technician, Feldsher
Occupations included in this category normally require completion of tertiary-level
training in theoretical and practical medical services. Workers providing services
limited to emergency treatment and ambulance practice are classified under
'Ambulance workers'-3258.

The Delhi Council for the Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Act, 1997 (Delhi Act
No.7 of 1997).
Physiotherapy means physiotherapeutic system of medicine which includes examination,
treatment, advice and instructions to any person preparatory to or for the purpose of or in
connection with movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, physical disorder, disability, healing
and pain from trauma and disease, physical and mental conditions using physical agents
including exercise, mobilization, manipulation, mechanical and electrotherapy, activity and
devices for diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Maharashtra State Council for Occupational & Physiotherapy Act, 2002(Mah.II of 2004)

Physiotherapy means a branch of modern medical science, which includes examination,

assessment, interpretation, physical diagnosis, planning and execution of treatment and advice to
any person for the purpose of preventing, correcting, alleviating and limiting dysfunction, acute
and chronic bodily malfunction including life saving measures via chest Physiotherapy in the
intensive care units, curing physical disorders or disability promoting physical fitness,
facilitating healing and pain relief and treatment of physical and psycho-somatic disorders
through modulating physiological and physical response using physical agent, activities and
devices using exercises, mobilization, manipulations, therapeutic ultra-sound, electrical and
thermal agents and electrotherapy for diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Related to the Prefix " Dr" by Physiotherapists.

Let me mention here that in India the use of word Doctor is a matter of convention and tradition (
MCI Letter dated 24/08/1993 attached).
The word Doctor (gen.: doctoris) means teacher in Latin. The word is originally an agentive
noun of the verb docre ('teach'). So it has nothing to do with any treatment etymologically. Even
father of medicine name is mentioned as " Hippocrates and nowhere as Dr. Hippocrates".
We need to clearly understand the difference between Doctor and Doctorate. As per oxford
dictionary and other standard International Dictionaries the title Dr is addressed for
Doctorate only. Academic attainments of higher order i.e., PhD, D.Lit, L.L.D. or D.Sc. has the
sanction to use the prefix Dr. Only those who have done PhD and Doctorate in medicine or
Surgery and or any other subject (need not be Medicine) are allowed to prefix Dr.
The general body of IAP in 1984 (Lucknow Conference) had resolved that their members may
prefix Dr with their names and suffix (Physiotherapist) or (PT) to denote their profession so as
not to cause confusion with entity of physician, surgeon or dentist. If the rules are strictly
followed even MBBS and BDS under graduates do not have rights to prefix Dr. This title
is not awarded by the University nor their Council( Certificates of MBBS attached of Pune
University and NTR University). As per communication with FRCS, Edinburgh the British
Surgeons prefix Mr. to their names and not doctor( Document attached). The Britishers
commenced the modern medicine in India and we follow the British system.
It is a conventional practice in India that any professional who treats is addressed as Dr. The
word Physiotherapy ( Physio means Physical methods; Therapy( Gk) means To treat. Going by
definition as clearly mentioned about treatment the Physiotherapists use "Dr" and will continue
to use " Dr" as a matter of tradition applicable for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS , Siddha,
Naturopaths, Unani etc. Out of all The Indian Association of Physiotherapists(IAP) has made a
rule that every Physio must prefix "Dr" suffixed with PT. On March 28th, 2010 a Public Notice
in Leading newspapers was published by Dr. Sanjiv Kumar Jha, General Secy, IAP related to the
prefix of Dr. by Physios( attached). At this juncture I would like to point out here that the State
legislations Maharashtra Sate and Delhi State Legislations has defined Physiotherapy as
System of Medicine. Hence it has become the practice for Physiotherapists also to follow the
privilege of addressing or Prefixing Dr like other System of Medicine practitioners. The Govt
approved Maharashtra OT/PT council registration certificate prefixes Dr.
The fundamental duties as per article 51A of Indian Constitution of any citizen as per our
constitution is to obligate all Indians to promote the spirit of common brotherhood, protect the
environment and public property, develop scientific temper, abjure violence, and strive towards
excellence in all spheres of life. There is reference to such duties in international instruments

such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights