The perception of healthcare professionals, through their own personal experiences, of the use of music therapy in hospitalised children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Music therapy is an emerging and useful methodology for improving patient environments within healthcare fields. However, although it has been shown that music therapy interventions with hospitalised children and adolescents have been used for decades with positive effects, there are currently very few studies that specifically describe the perspectives of healthcare professionals regarding the value of music therapy when applied in these patients.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the insights of healthcare professionals regarding music therapy, both on a personal level and in terms of its usefulness in the care of hospitalised children and adolescents.

DESIGN

This was a qualitative descriptive-exploratory study with focus groups.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighteen healthcare professionals.

METHODS

In January 2023, two focus groups, containing nine healthcare professionals each, were created to collect data regarding their experiences concerning the effect of music therapy on hospitalised children and adolescents. Before recording their opinions, all these professionals participated in an interactive music therapy session. The thematic analysis in this work was performed using MAXQDA® software.

RESULTS

Two main categories emerged: (a) the effects of music therapy on healthcare professionals, and (b) the benefits of music therapy to patients (children and adolescents).

CONCLUSIONS

Music therapy was valued positively by healthcare professionals who described the benefits its use has for hospitalised children and adolescents. They also expressed positive viewpoints regarding the use of music therapy to improve their own self-knowledge and self-care.

IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE

Healthcare professionals may utilise music therapists to improve patient outcomes and reduce the negative effects of hospitalisation.

Music Therapy for Children with Oncology & Hematological Conditions and Their Families: Advancing the Standards of Psychosocial Care

Background: Diagnosis and treatment of cancer and blood disorders in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood has a significant impact on patients and families. The Psychosocial Standards of Care project, initiated in 2012, resulted in 15 Psychosocial Standards (PSS) that guide the care patients and families receive throughout treatment. As members of the multidisciplinary psychosocial care team, music therapists play an important role in the advancing the PSS. Most surveys have focused on other commonly provided services (e.g., social work, child life), leaving gaps in our understanding about the availability and use of music therapy services to advance PSS. This paper offers an initial description of how music therapy services contribute to the provision of care under these Standards. Methods: We analyze how music therapy services promote PSS through synthesis of a music therapy clinical practice survey, published literature, and scope of practice documents. A brief overview of music therapy services structure, PSS that music therapy services currently address, and two clinical program descriptions are included. Results: Music therapy services address 9 of the 15 PSS and are well integrated within the larger program of psychosocial care. Findings suggest integration of music therapy services can help ensure personalized, comprehensive care and efficient use of often-limited psychosocial care resources. Discussion: Nurses, as members of the psychosocial and medical teams are uniquely positioned to identify patient and family care needs and refer patients for services. Understanding how music therapy services address PSS and most importantly, the needs of patients and families, will optimize their care.