Objective:

to know the approach of the emergency health team in the care of patients with advanced disease from the perspective of palliative care.

Method:

An exploratory-descriptive study with a qualitative approach, in which 29 emergency service professionals in a capital of Northeast Brazil participated. Bardin's Thematic Content Analysis was used.

Results:

two thematic categories of the registry units emerged: (1) Palliative care as a synonym for comfort and pain relief, and (2) Communication and control of symptoms as the core of the palliative approach in case of emergency. Professionals see important challenges in caring for people in palliative care based on an interdisciplinary and empathetic perspective, in favour of care with a view to comfort and pain relief.

Conclusion:

It was possible to understand that the team's approach to patient with advanced disease should be based on promotion of comfort and symptom control, using empathic communication and involving the patient and the family.