Music therapists’ practice-based research in cancer and palliative care: Creative methods and situated findings

Authors

  • Clare O'Callaghan Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and St Vincent's Health
  • Philippa Barry Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v9i3.53

Abstract

Although randomized controlled trials are described as the gold standard in health care research, their superiority is being questioned in palliative care which is focused on addressing individualized needs to maximize life quality. We use creative practice-based research to examine the usefulness of our music therapy work amongst people with life threatening conditions. Examined voices include “collective” (patients, visitors, staff, and music therapist), “their” (patients or caregivers), “our” (a group of music therapists), and “my voice” (one music therapist). Data sources have included clinical journals, semi-structured questionnaires, interview responses, a focus group, reflexive groupwork supervision transcripts, and patients’ song lyrics. Findings, situated within varied theoretic lenses, substantiate music therapy’s role in oncology and palliative care settings. Readers are invited to devise creative ways to voice their clients’, bystanders’, and own wisdom about music therapy to meaningfully extend the knowledge base.

Author Biographies

Clare O'Callaghan, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and St Vincent's Health

Clare O'Callaghan, PhD RMT. NHMRC Post Doctoral Fellow in Palliative Care (2008-9). Music Therapist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Caritas Christi Hospice, St Vincent’s Health, Melbourne Australia (on leave) Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, and Honorary Fellow, Faculty of Music, The University of Melbourne.

Philippa Barry, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia

Philippa (Pip) Barry, MMus, BMus(Hons), RMT, is a Music Therapist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia. Pip graduated with her bachelor music therapy degree from the University of Melbourne in 2005. In 2008 she completed her Masters research investigating the usefulness of music therapy in paediatric radiotherapy through the National Music Therapy Research Unit (NaMTRU). Pip has conducted music therapy clinical practice and research for the past three years with children, adolescents, adults, and their families living with a cancer diagnosis. Pip is also working as a locum music therapist in the acquired brain injuries unit at Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre.

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Published

2010-09-15

How to Cite

O’Callaghan, C., & Barry, P. (2010). Music therapists’ practice-based research in cancer and palliative care: Creative methods and situated findings. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v9i3.53

Issue

Section

Theoretical Articles