The Use of Telemedicine for Genetic Counseling in Oncology

Abstract

Introduction: The development of medicine and the discovery of the human genome revolutionized the knowledge, monitoring and treatment of cancer that favored the utilization of new methods of diagnosis, treatment for several types of neoplasms and genetic counseling. Although difficult to access, genetic counseling may allow the patients with suspected hereditary cancer, to reduce the rates of morbidity and mortality by this disease and ensure improvement in their quality of life. Objective: Demonstrate the state of the art of genetic counseling in oncology using the digital telemedicine tool. Method: An integrative literature review conducted between December 2018 and March 2019, using the PubMed, SciELO and BIREME databases, utilizing the words registered in the MeSH and Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS), respectively, in English, Genetic Counseling AND Telemedicine OR eHealth AND Oncology. Results: 16 articles were found and of these, eight were excluded. Thus, seven articles that met the inclusion criteria showing data about patient satisfaction with cancer-oriented counseling services, its advantages and disadvantages remained. Conclusion: Although there are few studies addressing the experience of genetic counseling in oncology, this low cost practice has been shown to be efficient and well accepted by the patient and the professional, providing proper responses mainly in places of difficult access.