<p>Sve veća potreba za izvođenjem kolonoskopije u dijagnostičke ili terapijske svrhe nameće potrebu za usavr&scaron;avanjem ove endoskopske procedure. Izvođenje kolonoskopije u op&scaron;toj, intravenskoj anesteziji, moglo bi u značajnoj meri olak&scaron;ati njeno izvođenje, pobolj&scaron;ati podno&scaron;enje ove procedure od strane ispitanika i omogućiti otkrivanje većeg broja pacijenata sa potencijalno malignim bolestima debelog creva. Cilj ispitivanja je bio utvrditi da li primena op&scaron;te intravenske anestezije tokom kolonoskopije povećava broj totalnih kolonoskopija i skraćuje vreme intubacije cekuma, povećava broj viđenih patolo&scaron;kih procesa i smanjuje osećaj bola i učestalost neželjenih reakcija. Primena op&scaron;te intravenske anestezije značajno je povećala broj totalnih kolonoskopija u 94.3% ispitanika u odnosu na 78.7% totalnih kolonoskopija kontrolne grupe i skratila vreme intubacije cekuma, značajno je povećala broj viđenih patolo&scaron;kih promena u 46.7% ispitanika u odnosu na broj viđenih patolo&scaron;kih promena u 28.8% ispitanika kontrolne grupe i značajno je smanjila intenzitet bola i učestalost neželjenih reakcija. U kontrolnoj grupi ispitanika skalom bola nakon kolonoskopije ustanovljen je značajno veći intenzitet bola u poređenju sa ispitanicima ekperimentalne grupe. Na Likertovoj skali zadovoljstva ustanovljena je značajno bolja kontrola bola i lični stav lekara u ekperimentalnoj grupi, dok su poseta ustanovi i procedura, razumevanje procedure, tehnička ve&scaron;tina lekara, lični stav medicinskih sestara i drugog tehničkog osoblja značajno bolje ocenjeni u kontrolnoj grupi. Od svih ispitivanih faktora na zadovoljstvo obe grupe pacijenata značajno su uticali: način izvođenja procedure, bol, uočene patolo&scaron;ke promene i intubacija cekuma. U kontrolnoj grupi ispitanika između skale zadovoljstva i skale bola ustanovljena je značajna negativna korelacija. U kontrolnoj grupi se 80,1% pacijenata izjasnilo da bi ponovnu kolonoskopiju uradili u op&scaron;toj intravenskoj anesteziji u poređenju sa svim pacijentima eksperimentalne grupe koji ne bi menjali način izvođenja ponovne procedure. Primena op&scaron;te intravenske anestezije tokom kolonoskopije povećava broj totalnih kolonoskopija i uočenih patolo&scaron;kih promena, smanjuje učestalost i intenzitet neželjenih reakcija povećavajući zadovoljstvo pacijenata, &scaron;to bi prevashodno moglo imati značaja u skriningu karcinoma debelog creva. Potrebno je pro&scaron;iriti ispitivanje primene op&scaron;te intravenske anestezije u drugim endoskopskim procedurama kako bi bila uvedena u svakodnevnoj kliničkoj praksi.</p> / <p>An increasing need to perform colonoscopy for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes imposed the need for mastering this endoscopic procedure. Performing colonoscopy in general intravenous anesthesia could greatly ease the procedure, make it more comfortable for patients and it could enable detecting a higher number of patients with occult malignant diseases of the colon. The aim of this paper was to determine if the implementation of general intravenous anesthesia during colonoscopy increases the number of total colonoscopies and shortens the time of cecum intubation, increases the number of familiar pathological processes and decreases the sensation of pain as well as the frequency of side reactions. The implementation of general intravenous anesthesia has significantly increased the number of total colonoscopies in 94.3% of examined patients in relation to 78.7% of total colonoscopies of the control group and shortened the time of cecum intubation. It has significantly increased the number of familiar pathological changes in 46.7% of the patients in relation to the number of familiar pathological changes in 28.8% patients of the control group and significantly decreased pain intensity and the frequency of side reactions. A statistically greater pain intensity after colonoscopy was determined by the pain scale in the control group in comparison to the examinees of the experimental group. Likert satisfaction scale has shown that the experiment group assessed pain control and doctors&rsquo; opinion as significantly better, while the institution visits and the procedure, understanding the procedure, doctors&rsquo; technical skills, nurses&rsquo; and technical personnel&rsquo;s personal opinions were assessed as significantly better in the control group. Out of all the examined factors on the satisfaction of both groups, the following ones had a significant inluence: the way the procedure was done, the level of pain, detected pathological changes and cecum intubation. A significanlty negative correlation was determined between the scale of satisfaction and the scale of pain in the control group. 80.1% of the control group patients stated that they would undergo a general anesthesia colonoscopy again in comparison to all the patients of the experimental group who would not change the way the procedure was previously done. The implementation of general intravenous anesthesia in the course of colonoscopy increases the number of total colonoscopies and detected pathological changes, decreases the frequency and intensity of side-effects therefore it enhances patients&#39; sastisfaction, which could play a major role in colon cancer screening. It is necessary to extend the implementation of general intravenous anesthesia in other endoscopic procedures in order to introduce it in everyday clinical practice.</p>

Mindfulness, purposeful attention without judgment or acceptance, and related practices are increasingly popular with a large number of people and have been incorporated into many western psychotherapies (e.g., Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy). There is considerable debate over whether mindfulness is best studied as a state, trait or procedure. Although many studies have found that trait mindfulness is related to physical and mental health outcomes, less is known about the mechanism(s) through which mindfulness enhances clinical outcomes. The current study explored the role of potential mediators of the relationship between trait mindfulness and psychological outcomes, i.e., psychological distress. Specifically, we examined whether the relationship between trait mindfulness and psychological distress is indirect, with mediators such as emotion regulation (i.e., cognitive reappraisal and emotion suppression, experiential avoidance, cognitive flexibility (i.e., alternative), and psychological inflexibility accounting for the relationship. We measured trait mindfulness, psychological distress, emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, experiential avoidance and acceptance in a large sample of undergraduate students. We hypothesized that the relationship between trait mindfulness and psychological outcomes is indirect and may be due to enhanced acceptance, flexibility, and emotion regulation. We conducted a sequential regression, simple mediational, and multiple mediational analyses to test hypotheses. Results revealed that the proposed mediators explained additional variances in psychological distress above and beyond trait mindfulness. The simple mediational analyses indicated that individually, psychological inflexibility, emotion regulation (only cognitive reappraisal), and experiential avoidance mediated the relationship between trait mindfulness and psychological distress. Finally, the multiple mediational analysis revealed that, when tested simultaneously, only psychological inflexibility mediated the association between trait mindfulness and psychological distress. Implications of results for developing treatment packages that include mindfulness practices are discussed. Limitations of the cross-sectional design, the measurements, and definitional issues of trait mindfulness are discussed as well.

Fibromyalgia (FMS) goes undiagnosed in as many as 3 out of 4 people who have the disease. Primary care providers (PCPs) are the first to evaluate patients; therefore, PCPs need to be able to recognize FMS, implement initial treatment, and refer for further consultation. The Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Screening Tool (FDST), a validated instrument to identify FMS, can improve the speed and accuracy of FMS diagnosis. The purpose of this project was to familiarize PCPS with the FDST, evaluate their receptiveness to the tool, and train them in its use. The Leventhal, Diefenbach, and Levanthal, common sense model of illness provided the theoretical framework to guide this quality improvement project. A 45-minute in-service and accompanying reference manual was given to 4 participating PCPs, along with a demographic questionnaire asking about their age, race, gender, marital status, and years in practice. Following the in-service, a 10-question self-completed questionnaire consisting of a combination of open-ended and nominal scale yes/no questions, was administered. A thematic analysis revealed 2 primary barriers for diagnosis without the FDST: lengthy screening time and trouble differentiating FMS from a patient's other conditions. In response to one of the yes/no questions, the participants all replied that the in-service on FDST was helpful in diagnosing FMS. Implications for social change include improved diagnosis with a diagnostic screening instrument, improved quality of health care, and cost effectiveness at the system level for chronic disease prevention and management. This project demonstrates in a localized primary care setting that the FDST may offers PCPs a reliable method to diagnose FMS.

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Magistro darbas buvo parengtas Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitete, Veterinarijos akademijoje 2012 – 2013 metais. Magistro darbas susideda iš turinio, įvado , literatūros apžvalgos , rezultatų ir jų aptarimo, išvadų bei padėkos .Visą darbą sudaro 41 puslapiai , 10 lentelių ir 6 diagramos. Tikslas: Įvertinti Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universiteto Veterinarijos akademijos dr. L.Kriaučeliūno smulkiųjų gyvūnų klinikoje chirurginėje praktikoje naudojamų bendrosios nejautros metodų efektyvumą ir gyvybinių funkcijų stebėsenos svarbą. Darbo uždaviniai:1. Išnagrinėti bendrosios nejautros būdų taikymą smulkiųjų gyvūnų klinikoje.2. Įvertinti stebėjimo (monitoravimo) rodiklius.3. Stebėti ir įvertinti pasitaikančias komplikacijas, taikomus būdus joms pašalinti bei jų prevenciją. / This master work was prepared in Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Veterinary Academy in 2012 – 2013 years. This master work compiles from a content, introduction, review of literature, results, consideration, conclusion, and thanks. The master work consists of 41 pages and includes 10 tables and 6 pictures. The aim: Rate of small animal surgical techniques used in general anesthesia effectiveness and the importance of monitoring vital functions. The tasks: 1. Examine general anesthesia techniques by the small animal clinic.2. Monitoring indicators.3. Monitoring of common complications, their prevention and ways to remove them. After study shows that the development is an important vital functions the animal's age, breed, health status, complexity of procedures performed and the medicinal use for its intended purpose.

The need for nurses to become culturally competent is well documented in transcultural nursing literature. The subjective multidimensional nature of pain makes it imperative for nurses to use assessment methods that are culturally congruent. This study set out to explore the differences and similarities in conceptualization, experience, expression and management of pain between nurses and clients in the United Arab Emirates. The purpose of the study was to develop guidelines in the cultural pain assessment in the UAE context. The findings confirmed that nurses rely on biomedical approaches in assessment and relief of pain; clients were found to rely on the family for emotional support and on nurses for pharmacological interventions. Clients used sensory descriptors, and analogy when describing pain, nurses relied on the technical background and experience. Religious factors had a significant impact on clients' pain behavior. This study offers nurses new insights into cultural assessment of pain. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)

As atitudes e crenças sobre a dor lombar crônica inespecífica (DLCI) dos profissionais de saúde estão associadas com as de seus pacientes, assim como com os resultados do tratamento. Por sua relevância, alguns estudos já foram realizados com o intuito de identificar as atitudes e crenças ligadas à orientação de tratamento que os médicos adotam no manejo da DLCI, bem como investigar a associação entre suas características demográficas e profissionais e suas atitudes e crenças. No entanto, no Brasil encontramos apenas uma pesquisa sobre esse tema, com fisioterapeutas que atuavam em hospitais e clínicas particulares. Os objetivos desta dissertação foram: 1) revisar os documentos que abordam o manejo da DLCI localizados na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde do Ministério da Saúde; 2) descrever atitudes e crenças relacionadas à orientação de tratamento dos médicos de Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) conveniadas a Prefeitura de Porto Alegre (PREFPOA) e identificar a associação entre suas características demográficas e profissionais e as suas atitudes e crenças relacionadas à orientação de tratamento da dor lombar crônica inespecífica. Esta dissertação foi composta por dois artigos, sendo que cada artigo inclui um dos objetivos citados. Para atingir o objetivo 1, realizamos uma revisão de documentos na língua portuguesa sobre o manejo da dor lombar publicados na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde do Ministério da Saúde. Para atingir o objetivo 2, todos os médicos de UBS da PREFPOA foram convidados para participar do estudo. Como critérios de inclusão, foi determinado que para participar da pesquisa o médico deveria atender pelo menos um paciente com DLCI por semana e estar trabalhando na atenção básica há pelo menos seis meses. Para coleta de dados, utilizamos um questionário demográfico e profissional e o Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists, para avaliar as atitudes e crenças, sendo composto por duas orientações de tratamento: biomédica e comportamental. Os resultados do artigo 1 indicam que não há um documento na língua portuguesa que oriente os profissionais a utilizarem a orientação biopsicossocial no manejo de pacientes com DLCI. Os resultados do artigo 2, em que participaram do estudo 110 médicos, com idade média de 47,18(±9,52) anos, indicam uma média de 27,75(±6,89) na orientação biomédica e de 22,76(±4,44) na orientação comportamental, sendo que os médicos consideraram o papel do estresse e de questões psicossociais no manejo da DLCI, mas também relacionaram a dor à presença de lesão tecidual. Tanto na orientação biomédica quanto na comportamental as diferenças entre os grupos foram pequenas, considerando as variáveis demográficas e profissionais. Conclui-se que existe uma carência de documentos na língua portuguesa para guiar os profissionais a utilizarem a orientação biopsicossocial no manejo da DLCI, os médicos de UBS da PREFPOA apresentaram atitudes e crenças ligadas tanto à orientação biomédica quanto comportamental e nenhuma característica analisada estava associada às atitudes e crenças dos médicos. / Attitudes and beliefs about chronic nonspecific low back pain of health professionals are associated with their patients, as well as the results of treatment. For its relevance, some studies have been conducted in order to identify the attitudes and beliefs related to orientation treatment that physicians adopt in the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain and investigate the association between their demographic and professional characteristics and their attitudes and beliefs. However, in Brazil we found only research on this subject, with physiotherapists who worked in hospitals and private clinics. The objectives of this dissertation were: 1) to review the documents that address the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain located in the Virtual Health Library of the Ministry of Health; 2) describe attitudes and beliefs related to the orientation treatment of the Basic Units of Health linked the Porto Alegre Prefecture and identify the association between their demographic and professional characteristics and their attitudes and beliefs related to orientation treatment of chronic non-specific low back pain. This dissertation was composed of two articles, wherein each article includes one of said goals. To article the goal 1, we conducted a review of documents in Portuguese on the management of low back pain published in the Virtual Library of Health Ministry of Health. To article the goal 2, Porto Alegre Prefecture’ Basic Units of Health’ all physicians were invited to participate in the study. As inclusion criteria, it was determined that to participate in the survey the physician should meet at least one patient with chronic nonspecific low back pain a week and be working in primary care for at least six months. To collect data, use demographic and professional questionnaire and Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists, to assess attitudes and beliefs, being composed of two treatment guidelines: biomedical and behavioral. The results of Article 1 indicate that there is a document in the Portuguese language to guide professionals to use the biopsychosocial orientation in the management of patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. The results of Article 2, in the study 110 physicians with an average age of 47.18 (± 9.52) years, indicate an average of 27.75 (± 6.89) in biomedical orientation and 22.76 (±4.44) in the behavioral orientation, and the physicians considered the role of stress and psychosocial issues in the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain, but also related pain to the presence of tissue injury. Any biomedical orientation as the behavioral differences between groups were small, considering demographic variables and professionals. It is concluded that there is a lack of documents in Portuguese to guide professionals to use the biopsychosocial guidance in the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain, Porto Alegre Prefecture’ Basic Units of Health’ physicians of presented attitudes and beliefs related to both biomedical and behavioral guidance and no analyzed characteristic was associated with attitudes and beliefs of physicians.

Pain is one of the first symptoms that alert you to the various diseases. It affects and reduces the quality of patient?s life and their physical, mental and emotional abilities. It depends on man how feels the pain, how succumbs to it or how much affects him. But the pain cannot be clearly quantified. The medical staffs often underestimate patient´s intensity, character and process of pain. As a result, the patients are more reserved in relation to the medical staffs. Unfortunately, there is an increase of dissatisfaction which is in conflict with the progress of their treatment. And there should be the nurses for contact with patients when they want it. Especially the nurses are the mediator between the patient and the doctor; thereby they perform the important roles in the health care centres. On the other hand, the patient care is very difficult. Therefore it was important to determine the quantity of nurse´s work in the pain management institutions, particularly the pain management clinics, an affect their psyche, an attitude to patients, their view of the pain management institutions, including information about the pain management clinics processing, the methods and the provided care. There were determined six aims: to find out the most common diagnosis and methods of pain treatment in the pain management institutions, as well as how nurses perceive the patients and care for their mental status in the pain management clinics, the daily routines which the nurses recommend to the patients and finally find out information about the pain management institutions in the Czech Republic. Based on the aims there were determined six research questions. Firstly, what is the most common diagnosis in the pain management clinic? Secondly, what are the most common methods for pain treatment? Thirdly, how are successful the methods of pain treatment by nurses? Fourth, how nurses perceive the patients of pain treatment clinics? Fifthly, how nurses care for patient´s mental status in the pain treatment clinic? Sixthly, what daily routine nurses recommend to the patients with pain treatment? The results showed that patients have often the chronic back pain in the pain management clinics in Pardubice region. In addition, there are the post-traumatic conditions, the pain associated with shingles, the post-operative pain, the joint pain and the pain associated with cancer.

Este estudo avaliou o potencial da Telemedicina como suporte complementar a assistência ambulatorial na monitoração de sintomas em pacientes com câncer avançado. Foram acompanhados 12 pacientes do ambulatório do Núcleo de Cuidados Paliativos do Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto (NCP-HUPE) de janeiro de 2011 a agosto de 2013. Mensalmente foram feitas consultas ambulatoriais pela médica e equipe multidisciplinar. Neste intervalo, os pacientes do domicilio, através de seus computadores pessoais se conectaram ao Laboratório de TeleSSaúde UERJ pelo serviço de webconferências interagindo com a mesma médica assistente do ambulatório. Os pacientes também tiveram acesso à médica por celular e email. A cada entrevista (presencial e remota) foi aplicada a Escala de Avaliação de Sintomas de Edmonton [Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS)], e coletado outros dados quanto a outras queixas biopsicossociais e espirituais, agravos à saúde, qualidade de áudio e vídeo da conexão, avaliação dos familiares com a Telemedicina e interferência da Telemedicina quanto ao local do óbito do paciente. Houve dificuldade na seleção dos pacientes, pois o HUPE é um hospital público cuja população assistida tem, caracteristicamente, baixa escolaridade, nível socioeconômico restrito e pouca habilidade com informática. O tempo médio de acompanhamento foi de 195 dias (DP 175,11; range: 11-553 dias). Todos receberam diagnóstico de câncer avançado e tinham dificuldades com locomoção. Sem dúvidas, a ESAS favoreceu a comunicação dos sintomas com os profissionais de saúde; porém, condições clínicas e controle dos sintomas singulares, avaliados em momentos distintos e sujeitos a influências diversas, impedem conclusões em relação às pretensas vantagens. Acompanhamento clínico, detecção de agravos à saúde e de sintomas físicos, psicossociais e espirituais foram possíveis de ser observados pela Telemedicina, confirmados e medicados nas consultas presenciais. A conexão para webconferência foi estabelecida por familiares, pois nenhum paciente operava computadores. O óbito domiciliar ocorreu em 41,67% e todos, mesmo os óbitos hospitalares, receberam suporte à distância do NCP. Durante o estudo foram feitos 305 contatos: 110 consultas presenciais a pacientes e familiares e 195 por Telemedicina (77 webconferências, 38 telefonemas e 80 emails). Todos os familiares referiram satisfação com o suporte oferecido. A Telemedicina permitiu maior acesso ao sistema de saúde (maior número de contatos), reduziu a busca por serviços de emergência, ajudou o controle dos sintomas e proporcionou orientações e segurança aos familiares. Este suporte favoreceu intervenções precoces e proativas e assistência continuada até o óbito. A Telemedicina demonstrou ser um bom adjuvante na monitoração e gerenciamento de sintomas de pacientes em cuidados paliativos em domicílio, não substituindo, mas complementando a assistência presencial. / This study assessed telemedicine potential as a complementary support to ambulatory care in monitoring symptoms in patients with advanced cancer. Twelve patients were followed up at the Palliative Care Nucleus ambulatory of the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital (NCP-HUPE) from January 2011 to August 2013. Monthly, assistance were made by physician and multidisciplinary team. Meanwhile, patients at home, with their personal computer connected to UERJ Telehealth Laboratory webconference service, interacting with the same ambulatory physician. Patients also had access to doctors cellphone and e-mail. At each interview (personal and remote) was applied the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), collected data on other biopsychosocial and spiritual complaints, health problems, audio and video quality connection, family's evaluation about Telemedicine and Telemedicine interference on patient's place of death. There was difficulty to select patients because HUPE is a public hospital whose population assisted has typically low educational and socioeconomic status, and restricted ability to deal with computers. The mean follow-up time was 195 days (SD 175.11; range: 11-553 days). All were diagnosed with advanced cancer and had transportation difficulties. There is no doubt that ESAS favored symptoms communication with health professionals; however, singular clinical conditions and symptom control assessed at different moments and subjected to many factors, preclude conclusions regarding alleged advantages. Clinical monitoring, detection of health problems and physical, psychosocial and spiritual symptoms were possible to be observed by Telemedicine, and were confirmed and treated at face-to-face consultations. Webconference connection was made by family members, because no patient operated computers. Death at home occurred in 41.67% and everyone, even the hospital deaths, received NCP support at distance. During the study was made 305 contacts; 110 face-to-face consultations to patients and families and 195 by Telemedicine (77 webconference, 38 telephone calls and 80 emails). Telemedicine allowed better access to health system (greater number of contacts), reduced search for emergency services, helped symptom control and provided orientations and reassurance to family members. This support favored early and proactive interventions and continuing assistance till death. Telemedicine has proved to be a good adjuvant in home monitoring and managing symptoms in palliative care patients, complementing face-to-face assistance, but not substituting it.

Este estudo avaliou o potencial da Telemedicina como suporte complementar a assistência ambulatorial na monitoração de sintomas em pacientes com câncer avançado. Foram acompanhados 12 pacientes do ambulatório do Núcleo de Cuidados Paliativos do Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto (NCP-HUPE) de janeiro de 2011 a agosto de 2013. Mensalmente foram feitas consultas ambulatoriais pela médica e equipe multidisciplinar. Neste intervalo, os pacientes do domicilio, através de seus computadores pessoais se conectaram ao Laboratório de TeleSSaúde UERJ pelo serviço de webconferências interagindo com a mesma médica assistente do ambulatório. Os pacientes também tiveram acesso à médica por celular e email. A cada entrevista (presencial e remota) foi aplicada a Escala de Avaliação de Sintomas de Edmonton [Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS)], e coletado outros dados quanto a outras queixas biopsicossociais e espirituais, agravos à saúde, qualidade de áudio e vídeo da conexão, avaliação dos familiares com a Telemedicina e interferência da Telemedicina quanto ao local do óbito do paciente. Houve dificuldade na seleção dos pacientes, pois o HUPE é um hospital público cuja população assistida tem, caracteristicamente, baixa escolaridade, nível socioeconômico restrito e pouca habilidade com informática. O tempo médio de acompanhamento foi de 195 dias (DP 175,11; range: 11-553 dias). Todos receberam diagnóstico de câncer avançado e tinham dificuldades com locomoção. Sem dúvidas, a ESAS favoreceu a comunicação dos sintomas com os profissionais de saúde; porém, condições clínicas e controle dos sintomas singulares, avaliados em momentos distintos e sujeitos a influências diversas, impedem conclusões em relação às pretensas vantagens. Acompanhamento clínico, detecção de agravos à saúde e de sintomas físicos, psicossociais e espirituais foram possíveis de ser observados pela Telemedicina, confirmados e medicados nas consultas presenciais. A conexão para webconferência foi estabelecida por familiares, pois nenhum paciente operava computadores. O óbito domiciliar ocorreu em 41,67% e todos, mesmo os óbitos hospitalares, receberam suporte à distância do NCP. Durante o estudo foram feitos 305 contatos: 110 consultas presenciais a pacientes e familiares e 195 por Telemedicina (77 webconferências, 38 telefonemas e 80 emails). Todos os familiares referiram satisfação com o suporte oferecido. A Telemedicina permitiu maior acesso ao sistema de saúde (maior número de contatos), reduziu a busca por serviços de emergência, ajudou o controle dos sintomas e proporcionou orientações e segurança aos familiares. Este suporte favoreceu intervenções precoces e proativas e assistência continuada até o óbito. A Telemedicina demonstrou ser um bom adjuvante na monitoração e gerenciamento de sintomas de pacientes em cuidados paliativos em domicílio, não substituindo, mas complementando a assistência presencial. / This study assessed telemedicine potential as a complementary support to ambulatory care in monitoring symptoms in patients with advanced cancer. Twelve patients were followed up at the Palliative Care Nucleus ambulatory of the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital (NCP-HUPE) from January 2011 to August 2013. Monthly, assistance were made by physician and multidisciplinary team. Meanwhile, patients at home, with their personal computer connected to UERJ Telehealth Laboratory webconference service, interacting with the same ambulatory physician. Patients also had access to doctors cellphone and e-mail. At each interview (personal and remote) was applied the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), collected data on other biopsychosocial and spiritual complaints, health problems, audio and video quality connection, family's evaluation about Telemedicine and Telemedicine interference on patient's place of death. There was difficulty to select patients because HUPE is a public hospital whose population assisted has typically low educational and socioeconomic status, and restricted ability to deal with computers. The mean follow-up time was 195 days (SD 175.11; range: 11-553 days). All were diagnosed with advanced cancer and had transportation difficulties. There is no doubt that ESAS favored symptoms communication with health professionals; however, singular clinical conditions and symptom control assessed at different moments and subjected to many factors, preclude conclusions regarding alleged advantages. Clinical monitoring, detection of health problems and physical, psychosocial and spiritual symptoms were possible to be observed by Telemedicine, and were confirmed and treated at face-to-face consultations. Webconference connection was made by family members, because no patient operated computers. Death at home occurred in 41.67% and everyone, even the hospital deaths, received NCP support at distance. During the study was made 305 contacts; 110 face-to-face consultations to patients and families and 195 by Telemedicine (77 webconference, 38 telephone calls and 80 emails). Telemedicine allowed better access to health system (greater number of contacts), reduced search for emergency services, helped symptom control and provided orientations and reassurance to family members. This support favored early and proactive interventions and continuing assistance till death. Telemedicine has proved to be a good adjuvant in home monitoring and managing symptoms in palliative care patients, complementing face-to-face assistance, but not substituting it.