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)?
Yes, 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 practice at licensed (e.g., IMH and SGH) or nonlicensed healthcare service providers (e.g., private psychological service providers).
This is because a clinical psychologist is not a “specified person” (i.e. not a registered healthcare professional) as defined under Section 31B of the HCSA.
Related questions
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”?
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?
What is the purpose of Section 31B of the HCSA?
Why are HCSA licensees allowed to claim that they can treat conditions of the human body in advertisement, while non-HCSA licensees (e.g., private psychological service providers/ clinics) are not allowed to do so? For example, IMH and SGH (HCSA-licensees) can state that their psychological services can treat mental conditions, while psychological service providers/ clinics (non-HCSA licensees) are not allowed to.
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