The use of the free and informed consent term in medical practice

Abstract

This article analyzes application of free and informed consent term (TCLE) in physicians’ practice working at the University Hospital (HU) of the Federal University of Sergipe, located in the city of Aracaju. The survey that gave origin to this work verified the attribution of importance to the application TCLE in medical practice. Five physicians from the HU were interviewed, as well as 72 medical records of interned patients were analyzed, in accordance to Brazilian bioethics, legislation, and doctrine. It concluded that, despite seen as important, TCLE is used only in two services at that unit, despite advances on civil medical accountability in Brazil.