Perceived research relevance: A worldwide survey of music therapists

ABSTRACT

Research has been and will continue to be important to the music therapy profession, as evidenced by the number of studies examining the evolution of research in the field. Despite its seeming importance, no recent studies have investigated the extent to which music therapists find research relevant to practice and very few studies have examined this topic outside of the United States. The purposes of this study were to (a) examine the extent to which music therapists around the world view research as relevant to clinical practice and (b) among those who read research, identify which sections from scientific papers are read. This nonexperimental study involved an online survey of music therapists from 51 countries. Of the 1586 initially responding to the participant invitation, 1272 music therapists completed the survey (a completion rate of 80%). Findings suggest that music therapists find research to be relevant to clinical practice and perceptions differ as a function of educational attainment and occupational role. Results also evidenced similar educational and occupational differences with regard to reading scientific papers. These findings parallel those from earlier studies indicating those with higher educational attainment and working in academic/research-related positions tend to find research more relevant. These findings are important because they suggest there may be a disconnection between the extant research and the end consumer, the clinician.

KEYWORD:

• Music therapy
• evidence-based practice
• research relevance
• survey
• attitude of health personnel

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed from https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2017.1284889

Notes

¹ For a complete list of the countries, please contact the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eric G. Waldon

Eric G. Waldon, Ph.D., MT-BC, is Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at University of the Pacific in Stockton and San Francisco, CA. In addition to board certification as a music therapist, Dr. Waldon is a licensed psychologist and has worked with a variety of clinical populations. He is coauthor of Music Therapy in Pediatric Medicine (with David Wolfe) and serves on the editorial board of Journal of Music Therapy.

Barbara L. Wheeler

Barbara L. Wheeler, PhD, MT-BC, is Professor Emeritus from Montclair State University. Her clinical work has been with a variety of clientele. Recent publications include journal articles and book chapters; two edited books, Music Therapy Handbook and Music Therapy Research, 3rd edition (edited with K. Murphy); and Clinical Training Guide for the Student Music Therapist, 2nd edition (D. Polen, C. Shultis, B. Wheeler).