Since the mid twentieth century, informed consent (IC) has evolved to become possibly the most fundamental concept underpinning modern medicine1. The right to exercise one’s autonomy, free from influence, is heralded as a near-universal right, protecting the interests and personhood of the patient1,2. Despite this being a widely accepted truth however, the efficacy of gaining IC has remained elusive. Both doctors and patients report dissatisfaction with current consent processes and many studies have sought ways to improve this2. Most of these are centred around the critical steps of information disclosure and understanding which enable autonomy to be maximised2. These studies have largely been unsatisfactory with mixed results, but all earnestly express a desire for improvement in the system2. This presentation will focus on how the majority of these educational adjuncts fundamentally miss the point and will continue to show unsatisfactory results without a culture shift in how we view consent. A brief reflection on the history of IC reveals why a return to ensuring this is critically set within the doctor-patient relationship, and is recognised as a therapeutic step in and of itself is paramount. Without prioritising IC in this way, dissatisfaction will continue for both parties and compromise the validity of consent itself. 1. Maclean A. Autonomy, informed consent and medical law: a relational challenge. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press; 2009. 2. Glaser J, Nouri S, Fernandez A, Sudore RL, Schillinger D, Klein-Fedyshin M, et al. Interventions to Improve Patient Comprehension in Informed Consent for Medical and Surgical Procedures: An Updated Systematic Review. Med Decis Making. 2020 Feb;40(2):119–43.