Live music in hospital oncology settings: environmental, interpersonal, and personal outcomes for staff, patients, and carers

ABSTRACT

Background

This paper explores the environmental, interpersonal, and personal outcomes of music performance in a hospital oncology setting. An original, qualitative research study examined the impact of live music for staff, patients, and carers.

Methods

Data were collected using a multi-method approach of observations and semi-structured interviews and were analysed using inductive and theory-driven theming that was shaped by a determinants of health framework.

Results

The research found that live music promoted stronger relationships and calmer environments, among other environmental, social and individual outcomes. Improved communication between staff through the creation of a more supportive environment was a pertinent finding of the research. No negative effects were reported.

Conclusions

We discuss research findings in the context of relevant literature and suggest recommendations for future hospital-based live music programs. Results of this study indicate that live music interventions impacted individual, interpersonal, social and environment factors that led to health and wellbeing outcomes for participants.

KEYWORDS:

• Live music
• community music
• oncology
• oncology hospital staff
• oncology patients
• carers

Acknowledgments

We thank and acknowledge all participants in this research. We acknowledge and thank our research partners, Peter Breen, the Director of The Stairwell Project and Dr Glen Kennedy, Executive Director of Cancer Care Services RBWH. In addition, we acknowledge the work of Dr Pat Dorsett in initiating and supporting this research project and Kylee McDonagh who has provided copyediting and proofreading support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).