Abstract
The profession of music therapy is experiencing a period of expansion in Norway, with the establishment of new positions occurring in a variety of health contexts. One area that is poised for continued growth is music therapy within medical contexts, and in paediatric hospitals, in particular. There are various ways in which new music therapy positions are developed within paediatric hospitals, and studying these implementation processes can provide valuable insight. In this study, we use a focused ethnographic approach to explore how different members of the interdisciplinary team experience the implementation of music therapy in a children’s hospital, including the present and the former music therapist. We consider how the music therapist has positioned herself within the established hierarchy, what leadership and other healthcare personnel have done for/against this new profession, and which elements have helped or hindered the process of implementation. Data collection and analysis consisted of reflecting upon and analysing: 1) the first author’s participation in music therapy praxis on a paediatric medical unit, 2) fieldnotes from field observations within the children's hospital, and 3) semi-structured interviews with interdisciplinary staff. Main findings suggest that given support from leadership and a consultative/advisory workgroup, it was rather straightforward to start up a music therapy practice within this particular children's hospital, but it was more complicated to formally and informally fully integrate music therapy in the interdisciplinary team.
Highlights
BackgroundTrygve Aasgaard became the first music therapist to work in a children’s hospital in Norway when he established music therapy at Oslo University Hospital in 1995 (Aeroe & Aasgaard, 2011)
The aim of the study was to explore how the implementation of music therapy in a paediatric hospital is experienced by key interdisciplinary staff members and the music therapist herself
We focused on the implementation of music therapy services related to one job position, and interviewed selected professionals who came into regular contact with the music therapist
Summary
Trygve Aasgaard became the first music therapist to work in a children’s hospital in Norway when he established music therapy at Oslo University Hospital in 1995 (Aeroe & Aasgaard, 2011). With influences from social anthropology and sociology, Aasgaard’s approach was characterized by valuing music therapy as a form of environmental therapy that enables interplay between children in the hospital and the hospi-. VOICES: A WORLD FORUM FOR MUSIC THERAPY. A small, but resourceful group of Norwegian music therapists continues to build upon his foundational work in this area, but music therapy is far from being systematically implemented within the context of Norwegian hospitals. Though no official record exists, there are at least 10 music therapists who work in paediatric medical hospitals in Norway, and who are members of the “music therapy in paediatrics network” (Nettverket MiPE - musikkterapi i pediatri) Workload percentages for the positions vary, and they are either paid for by grant or philanthropic funding or less often by the hospitals themselves
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