Expanding from Hospital to Home Based Care: Implications for Music Therapists Working in Palliative Care

Abstract

The focus of health care within Australia is shifting. Health care programs, traditionally the domain of large hospitals, are increasingly becoming community based. As music therapists, we need to be aware that these changes are occurring and the implications that this has for our work. The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative examination of the role of music therapy with palliative care patients in contrasting settings home and hospital. The material will be drawn from the author's direct clinical experience, as well as music therapy and other health care literature. Awareness of the topics discussed will inform future research in the clinical practice of music therapists working in palliative care, as well as music therapists witnessing this change in other settings. (author abstract)