The Kerala High Court has temporarily barred physiotherapists and occupational therapists from using the title “Dr” unless they hold a formally recognised medical degree. The directive was issued on Friday as part of an interim order.

The ruling came in response to a petition filed by the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR), which argued that professionals in these two fields commonly prefix their names with “Dr”, creating confusion among patients and placing them on par with licensed medical practitioners.

The dispute traces back to an earlier directive from the Union Health Ministry, which had removed the “Dr” prefix from the competency-based curriculum for physiotherapy students, stating that using the title without an approved medical qualification violates the Indian Medical Degrees Act. That order, however, was later withdrawn by the Centre.

Challenging the ministry’s decision to take back the order, the IAPMR approached the High Court. After hearing the preliminary arguments, Justice V.G. Arun sought responses from the relevant authorities and instructed physiotherapists as well as occupational therapists to refrain from using the “Dr” title until the matter is fully examined.

The case has been scheduled for further hearing on November 1.