Systematic Use of Song and Music in Dementia Care: Health Care Providers’ Experiences

Figures & data

Box 1 Overview of the Questions in the Interview Guide

Questions
The initial opening question was: Please describe, in general, your experiences with the music program “Gjenklang” (reverberation), the songbooks, and the CDs
How did you experience the music program affecting the patients? If it had a positive impact, how long did it last? How did you experience the music program affecting yourself? How did you experience the music program affecting the environments in your unit/department, and the relationship between staff members?
Do you plan, facilitate, and organize for a good/convenient song session with “Gjenklang” beforehand (such as time and location for the session, patient group size and composition, where the CD player is to be placed, and so on)? If you do/do not [make] such arrangements, why is that?
Can you describe the instructions and training that was given to the staff (by the music therapists) in order to use “Gjenklang”? What worked well/less well? What could have been done differently? If you use/do not use the program, why is that?
Have you received any other training? If so, how, and by whom has that training been given? By the leader and/or other colleagues? Was any internal teaching/supervision arranged for?
What role and significance did your leader have implementing the program “Gjenklang”? What impact has it had on your use of “Gjenklang”?
What, in your opinion, characterizes a successful song time? What, in your opinion, are important prerequisites for the program “Gjenklang” being used in the department? Will you use/continue to use the program in the future? Any need for new and/or supplementary songbooks and CDs? Any need for training of new personnel?
Finally, is there anything more you want to tell about your experience with training and use of “Gjenklang”?

Table 1 Overview of the Categories and Subcategories from the Analyses

Categories	Subcategories
The music program increased the staff’s consciousness and awareness	Planning and facilitating the sessions
	Increased self-confidence and support among the staff
	Consciousness in observation and documentation
The music program evoked the patients’ emotions and reactions	Recalling texts and melodies
	Revival of earlier life events
	Expressing feelings through bodily language
Maintaining enthusiasm over time	Regular training and supervision
	Enthusiasts in the staff group
	Leaders’ prioritizing and follow up