Can Music Therapists Synergise With Medical Practitioners to Make Music Therapy Evidence-based?

Abstract

There is an increasing global need for music therapy practice to be evidence-based with more experimental research findings. This is particularly the case as music therapy is introduced as a complementary therapy in many medical settings, with special reference to integrated care. Can music therapy be really evidence-based as is the case in medicine? How practical is it? Can the multidimensional role that a music therapist plays in a therapeutic setting, her skills, the time she spends with the clients and the effects of music, all be compared to a medical approach? Should music therapists collaborate more with health professionals not only in practice, but also in research to make it evidence based? What are the strengths of music therapy in the medical profession? Oncology is a very challenging area in the medical field and likewise music therapy is challenging in an oncology setting. Many music therapists are interested in working in this challenging speciality in research. Here is an interview with a renowned Indian surgical oncologist, Dr. Ravi Kannan. He is keen on music therapy being a part of the integrated team in cancer care in India and emphasises the need for more research to be carried out that is evidence-based.