If a clinical psychologist features on the website of a psychology clinic that provides psychological services, would he / she need to state his / her qualifications when using the title “Dr”?
The Healthcare Services Act 2020 (HCSA) FAQs, Enhanced advertising control of healthcare service
The website of the psychology clinic provides information of its psychological services and features its clinical psychologist. This would be deemed as healthcare service advertising. As the clinical psychologist is not a “specified person” under Section 31B of the HCSA, he / she must comply with the following when using the title “Dr”:
state his/ her educational qualifications whenever the title “Dr” is used; and
include a disclaimer that “his/ her educational qualification is not a medical or dental qualification”
Related questions
Do the requirements under Section 31B of the HCSA apply to all clinical psychologists who wish to use the protected title, “Dr” in advertisements regardless of whether they practise at licensed (e.g., IMH and SGH) or non-licensed healthcare service providers (e.g. private psychological service providers/ clinics)?
If a non-medical PhD holder creates a website for their clinic that provides healthcare services, would they need to state their qualifications on the website?
Should clinical psychologists become registered healthcare professionals in future (i.e., they are included under Second Schedule of the AHPA), would they still need to comply with Section 31A and B of the HCSA?
Can persons with doctoral degrees in alternative medical fields, such as spiritual healing, call themselves a “Dr” when advertising their services?
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