Music as Medicine: Music-Thanatology and the Compounding of Art and Science into Palliative Music Prescriptions (TH335)

Abstract

Objectives 1. Describe methodologies used by music-thanatologists in the prescriptive delivery of music in the palliative care setting. 2. Be familiar with current music-thanatology research and its application to the practice of hospice and palliative care. 3. Gain tools to overcome barriers to incorporating music-thanatology into hospice or palliative care settings. Physical, emotional, and existential distress can adversely impact the quality of life of people who are terminally ill or dying and their loved ones. Music-thanatology is a palliative care modality uniting music, medicine, and spirituality to address these complex issues. The musicthanatologist brings harp and voice to the bedside, meeting fear, discomfort, and suffering with the prescriptive qualities of live music. Common patient responses include eased respirations, reduced anxiety and fear, deeper rest, and a sense of peace. Music-thanatology has become best practice in many hospitals and hospices, and is included in physicians’ standing orders for when a patient is placed on comfort measures or is being removed from life-sustaining treatment. Unfortunately, many patients do not receive the benefit of this service, in part due to institutional or palliative care providers’ lack of familiarity with music-thanatology. This session will address music-thanatology’s role in an interdisciplinary end-of-life care plan and provide the listener with an evidence based approach to this discipline. The learner will be guided through the discussion using a case vignette informed by the science of this field. Music-thanatologists will demonstrate a harp vigil during the session. Finally, the listener will leave with tools to teach hospital or hospice administrators about the benefits of this service for patients and families.