The Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) has demanded an unconditional apology from the Tamil Nadu Medical Council president Dr K Prakasam for his alleged derogatory remarks against the profession of physiotherapy. Earlier this month, Dr Prakasam had cautioned the physiotherapists that they were paramedics and technicians, hence could not use the prefix, ‘Dr’.

Coming down heavily on the reported statement of Dr K Prakasam, IAP  president Dr Umasankar Mohanti, said, “The recent media statements made by Dr Prakasam is defaming the physiotherapy profession which is also part of the healthcare.”

Terming the comments of Dr Prakasam as unconstitutional and derogatory, the IAP president in a letter to Dr Prakasam said it is the constitutional right of a person to practice a profession and Dr Prakasam was deliberately defaming the profession of physiotherapy. Dr Prakasam was previously the president of IMA Tamil Nadu branch and now serving as the president of TN Medical Council.

The letter of Dr Mohanti, a Ph.D. holder, says that Dr Prakasam has used un-parliamentary and unconstitutional terminologies like quacks and technicians for their noble, Independent profession of physiotherapy in various media interviews. He said quack means an ignorant pretender to medical skill, but a physiotherapist is a qualified person from UGC recognised university.

Responding to Dr Mohanti’s letter, Dr Prakasam told Pharmabiz that if they had any complaints on his comments, they could approach the government of Tamil Nadu for solutions. “Even these paramedics do not know what designation I have. If they have any problem, let them approach the state government,” he said.

Quoting his comments to the media that physiotherapists are mere paramedical staffs, Mohanti said that there is clear mention in the document of Union Law Ministry, Government of India that the physiotherapist is not a paramedic.

Distinguishing that paramedic and physiotherapist are different, the president of IAP said a paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles or transferring the patients to hospitals. Whereas, quoting WHO definition, physiotherapist assesses, plans and implements 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. He applies a broad range of physical therapies and techniques such as movement, ultrasound, heating, laser and other techniques. He may develop and implement programmes for screening and prevention of common physical ailments and disorders.

He said the World Health Organisation (WHO), International Labour Organisation, Delhi Council for the Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Act, 1997 and Maharashtra State Council for Occupational & Physiotherapy Act, 2002 clearly define the independent nature of physiotherapy practice. According to Mohanti, without a physiotherapist’s certification no elite sports player can play. Cases of Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni are examples.

Regarding use of the prefix ‘Dr’, Mohanti argues that academic attainments of higher order such as Ph.D., D. Lit, L.L.D. D.Sc…etc. have the sanction to use the prefix. He said the general body of IAP held in Lucknow in 1984 resolved that their members might use the prefix 'Dr' with their names and suffix ‘Physiotherapist’ or PT to denote their profession and not to get confused with medical professions.

His letter further says that if the rules are strictly followed even MBBS and BDS graduates do not have the rights to prefix “Dr”. This title is neither awarded by the university nor their council. He said the British surgeons prefix Mr. to their names and not doctor. It is a conventional practice in India that any professional who treats is addressed as Doctor.