Title

Music therapists' perceptions of the effects of tele-music therapy on client access

Year Issued

2021

Abstract

This qualitative focus group study explored how music therapists are understanding and responding to changes in client access since the move toward tele-music therapy spurred by the recent COVID-19 virus outbreak. Coming from a recognition of histories of health acce...
Show moreThis qualitative focus group study explored how music therapists are understanding and responding to changes in client access since the move toward tele-music therapy spurred by the recent COVID-19 virus outbreak. Coming from a recognition of histories of health access disparity for underserved populations, this study also sought music therapists’ perspectives on how specific cultural groups and identities may have been unequally affected in terms of access to tele-music therapy. In this study, a synchronous online focus group discussion was facilitated with six music therapists to explore their perspectives regarding the benefits and challenges of tele-music therapy, particularly in terms of client access, and to explore ways these therapists found to respond to any challenges or disparities in access they encountered. Results suggest that music therapists are finding a complex set of both benefits and challenges in terms of their clients accessing tele-music therapy. Four themes with 18 sub-themes were found: challenges/barriers to access (technology challenges, inequities in access, facility- or population-related barriers, safety concerns, challenges of in-home sessions, and hard choices), bridging the barriers (benefits to specific populations, in-home session benefits, bridging distance, and finding solutions), making music in tele-music therapy (music-making challenges, singing, musical instruments and technology, and musical solutions), and the future role of tele-music therapy (hopes and concerns, preparing for the future, and possibilities.) These findings offer recommendations for the continued use of tele-music therapy even beyond the current pandemic. Keywords: telehealth access, barriers to access, underserved populations, COVID-19
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Author

Landes, David