79 ‘After music today, I feel...’ using patient-and-parent-reported experience measures to understand the impact of the music therapy service at great ormond street hospital (GOSH)

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> The music therapy (MT) service at GOSH provides care for children and young people (CYP) aged 0–18 years. MT sessions address a wide range of patient needs including helping CYP develop their communication, cognitive, fine/gross motor skills through music, expand their coping skills, and explore new ways to express how they are feeling. Our aim was to systematically collect experience data from parents/carers and CYP to understand the impact of MT and to create a body of evidence supporting its contribution to the care of CYP in hospital. <h3>Methods</h3> Feedback was sought in two ways: A service-tailored Parent-Reported Experience Measure [PREM] was sent to parents electronically, post-discharge. This 15–question survey included questions related to interactions with the music therapist, perceived impact of care, and service delivery. Feedback cards were given post-session, inviting CYP and carers to give written/drawn responses to the prompt ‘After Music Today, I Feel...’ <h3>Results</h3> To date, 102 parents/carers (48% response rate) have completed the PREM and 284 feedback cards have been completed. All parents reported an improvement in their child’s mood; 96% found that MT distracted their child from pain/discomfort, and 93% agreed that ‘Music therapy made it easier for my child to be in hospital’. 97% of parents/carers reported a reduction in their own stress and anxiety, and 94% found MT to be a source of comfort. The majority of respondents receive MT once a week: 88% would like that increased. <h3>Discussion</h3> Patients and families perceive MT to have a positive impact on their experience of care. From the comments, two noticeable trends have emerged: positive and emotive feedback on the value of the service, and a desire for more provision. GOSH currently employs one music therapist; the demand for MT provision is clearly outstripping the capacity of a one-person department.