Kerala HC Admits Pleas Against ‘Dr’ Title for Physiotherapists

The Kerala High Court on Monday admitted appeals filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR) challenging a recent Single Bench ruling that allowed physiotherapists to use the prefix “Dr.” before their names.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice P.V. Balakrishnan issued notice to the respondents after hearing preliminary submissions. The Bench observed that the matter raises important questions requiring detailed judicial examination and posted the case for further hearing on March 19.

The controversy arose after a Single Bench of the High Court permitted qualified physiotherapists to use the title “Dr.”, a decision that drew strong objections from sections of the medical fraternity. The IMA and IAPMR have argued that allowing non-MBBS practitioners to use the prefix could create confusion among patients, particularly in clinical environments where professional roles must be clearly distinguished. According to the appellants, the title “Dr.” has traditionally been associated with individuals holding recognized medical degrees in modern medicine, and extending its usage without clear regulatory guidelines may blur professional boundaries.

When the appeals were initially taken up last week, the Division Bench had orally remarked that determining entitlement to the “Dr.” prefix may not strictly fall within the judiciary’s domain. The court suggested that such matters could be better addressed through policy decisions by the government or the legislature, which are equipped to frame comprehensive regulations after examining statutory provisions, professional qualifications, and the broader healthcare framework.

The matter was briefly adjourned to allow senior counsel representing the appellants to seek instructions on whether to proceed in light of these observations. On Monday, counsel informed the court that the associations wished to pursue the appeals on merits, raising all available legal and regulatory grounds.

Taking note of this submission, the Bench concluded that the issues involved warrant full arguments and formal adjudication. The upcoming hearing is expected to focus on the scope and regulation of professional titles, the authority of governing bodies, and the potential public interest implications arising from the use of the “Dr.” prefix across different streams of healthcare practice.

With Inputs From IANS