The pedagogical practice is universally regarded as the specific area of the teaching profession, and defining element of teacher professional identity. This study investigated the perceptions of medical professors of a federal institution of higher education about the characteristics of a good teacher. We used qualitative methodology, and the data were collected through a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with teachers of the professional cycle of a medicine course. As characteristics of a good teacher stood out in this research scientific, pedagogical and relational/affective competences. These findings show that the faculty of medicine have already incorporated the notion that to be a good teacher is not enough to know the content of the course under their responsibility. Thus, it becomes important institutional investment in training courses in a didactic and pedagogic perspective of reflection on the teaching practice.