The obligation of the physician to obtain the patient’s consent to a certain proposed treatment rests on the ethical principle of autonomy of the patient.1 In this context, the consent is an “autonomous authorization for a medical intervention,” and authorization is given by the patient him/herself.2 Accordingly, obtaining the patient’s consent should not be an isolated act, but part of the dynamics of the doctor-patient relationship, which include a frank and honest exchange of information between both parties involved, and does not necessarily include the acceptance of the treatment proposed – but also the possibility of refusal.3 Etchells et al. refer to this dynamic as the “consent process”.1 In Brazil, there is a distorted view that obtaining a consent from the patient for a certain procedure or therapy is the best way for the physician to protect him/herself against future legal actions, in case of an unfavorable outcome. This view is not only distorted, it is erroneous: the nature of the doctor-patient relationship allows for several interpretations when it comes to defining professional liability in court. Some authors define it as contractual, through the duty of diligence,4 i.e., professional commitment. To Franca,5 it is be a rental service agreement. However, the topic is controversial. Bueres6 acknowledges the divergences in this respect; however, he does not accept the “rental service” idea, as there is no legal subordination in the doctor-patient relationship. Thus, in an area with so many divergent ideas, it shall not be the signature of the patient on a document that he/ she hurriedly or improperly read that will protect the doctor. Undoubtedly, the moral aspect of the topic itself is much more important. After all, what is consent? As previously stated, consent is the “autonomous authorization of a medical intervention[...] given by the patient on an individual basis.”2 Or, in simpler words, the term refers to the action of an autonomous individual, informed with respect to the procedure or treatment to which he/she will be submitted, agreeing to submit himself/herself to such treatment or experiment (in the case of research).7 In short: patients must have the right to decide on their medical treatment and must have the right to receive all information necessary and relevant to make these decisions. ARTICLE INFO