Physiotherapists Are Doctors — Stop This Medical Elitism
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has insulted an entire profession. In its September 9 notification, it attempted to ban physiotherapists from using the prefix “Dr.” or suffix “PT.” Within 24 hours, under pressure and protest, it withdrew the order. This pathetic flip-flop exposes the arrogance of India’s medical bureaucracy and its shameless bias against physiotherapists.
This is not just a debate over titles. This is about dignity, recognition, and justice for a profession that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with medicine in restoring human health.
Physiotherapists ARE Doctors
Physiotherapy is not a crash course. It is a 5.5-year full-time professional program (BPT), followed by MPT and even doctoral-level research (PhD/DPT). Their training covers anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, cardiology, rehabilitation sciences, and advanced biomechanics.
What part of this is “not doctor enough”?
-
If Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy practitioners — some with far less rigorous training and questionable scientific grounding — are allowed to flaunt the “Dr.” tag…
-
If dentists, vets, and PhDs across disciplines are addressed as “Doctor”…
…then why single out physiotherapists for humiliation?
This is nothing but medical elitism — a toxic attempt by a few to monopolize the title and belittle others.
DGHS’s Lies Must Be Called Out
DGHS claims physiotherapists cannot diagnose or provide primary care. This is a lie.
Physiotherapists:
-
Independently assess and diagnose musculoskeletal, neurological, and functional disorders.
-
Design and execute comprehensive treatment plans.
-
Prevent disability, restore mobility, and enhance quality of life.
They do this not as “assistants” waiting for a doctor’s permission, but as autonomous professionals recognized worldwide. To deny this is to deny reality.
DGHS is not protecting patients — it is protecting medical monopoly.
Global Standards Leave India Behind
Across the developed world:
-
In the United States, Canada, and Australia, physiotherapists hold the title Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).
-
Patients respect and recognize them as “Doctors” — without confusion, without chaos.
-
Multidisciplinary healthcare thrives because professions are respected, not suppressed.
Why should India lag behind? Why must Indian physiotherapists be treated as second-class professionals in their own country?
Patients Deserve the Truth, Not Suppression
The “patients will be confused” excuse is insulting. Patients are not stupid. They can understand the difference between:
-
Dr. (MBBS/MD) — Physician/Surgeon
-
Dr. (PT) — Doctor of Physiotherapy
-
Dr. (BDS) — Dentist
-
Dr. (PhD) — Academic Doctor
Instead of suppressing physiotherapists, DGHS should mandate transparent display of qualifications — so patients know exactly whom they are consulting. That is true accountability.
The Way Forward
-
Legal Recognition – Physiotherapists must be formally allowed to use “Dr.” with suffix (PT), just as dentists use (BDS).
-
Equality of Professions – Stop treating physiotherapists like “support staff.” They are primary healthcare providers in their domain.
-
Crush Medical Elitism – Healthcare is multidisciplinary. No single profession owns the word “Doctor.”
-
Educate, Don’t Suppress – Tell the public what each “Doctor” means — don’t erase professional identities.
Bottom Line: Physiotherapists Will Not Be Silenced
DGHS’s attack on physiotherapists is a disgrace, an insult, and a crime against fairness. Physiotherapists are not technicians. They are not “helpers.” They are highly educated professionals who fight disability, restore dignity, and give people their lives back.
They ARE Doctors. They DESERVE the title. They have EARNED it.
The medical lobby must stop behaving like insecure gatekeepers of healthcare. DGHS must stop being a puppet to elitism.
The time has come for physiotherapists in India to rise, demand respect, and claim their rightful place as Doctors of Physiotherapy. No more compromise. No more silence.
⚡ Dr Vijay Guleria PT
