Exploring Music Therapists' Perspectives on Clinical Goals, Practices, and Outcomes Across Different Settings in Cancer Care

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of music therapy for cancer patients by exploring the perspectives of experienced music therapists. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with music therapists who work or have worked with cancer patients across various clinical settings and stages of illness. The identified themes in the interviews focused on the clinical goals set by the therapists, the music therapy practices used in sessions, the benefits they observed, and the challenges they encountered. The analysis of the interviews provided an in-depth understanding of participants’ experiences, highlighting the importance of tailoring music therapy practices to meet the unique needs of cancer patients across different stages of illness and in diverse settings.