Hailey Tran
Music therapy is a recognized profession in Pennsylvania, with over 41,000 people receiving music therapy services each year. The state has implemented music therapy programs in hospitals, such as Penn State Health, to promote healing and help patients adjust to the hospital environment. Music therapy is also used to address the physical and emotional needs of patients and their families, providing an outlet for self-expression and a sense of normalcy during their hospital stay. Additionally, music therapy has been offered to front-line healthcare workers in Pennsylvania hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic to support their well-being and resilience. With board-certified music therapists, hospitals in Pennsylvania are utilizing music as a form of therapy for both patients and medical staff.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Music Therapy in Hospitals | Penn State Health |
| --- | --- |
| Therapy Program | Music Therapy Program |
| Therapy Sessions | Individual or group settings |
| Therapy Activities | Singing, playing, moving, listening, creating |
| Therapy Goal | Promote healing, minimize pain, provide self-expression |
| Therapist Qualifications | Board-certified, trained in safety guidelines, trained in universal precautions, trained to work with medically frail patients |
| Therapist Role | Part of the medical team, work with doctors and nurses, address physical and emotional needs |
| Therapist Experience | Working with diverse cultural and faith backgrounds, non-English speaking and non-verbal patients |
| Therapist Contact | Jan Stouffer, Claire de Boer |
| Donations | Music Therapy Fund, donate instruments |
| --- | --- |
| Music Therapy Profession | Recognized by PA Senate Resolution 472 and PA House Resolution 1045 |
| Consumer Protection | Proposed music therapy legislation to ensure safe and quality services by licensed and credentialed professionals |
What You'll Learn
Penn State Health Children's Hospital offers music therapy
Music therapists at Penn State Health Children's Hospital work with a variety of cultural and faith backgrounds, helping families stay connected to their heritage and traditions. They also have experience with non-English-speaking and non-verbal children, who can use music as a common language of communication. The music used during therapy varies depending on the setting, whether it's the neonatal intensive care unit or the operating room.
The Children's Miracle Network is a crucial partner in the work of music therapy at Penn State Health Children's Hospital. They fund several positions within the hospital, including that of music therapist Tara, who shared her experience with music therapy: "Our brain and our neurology really respond to the music" in a lot of different ways that maybe just regular conversation wouldn’t. And so the music itself can impact ourself and how our body is responding to it."
Songwriting is a tradition at an annual event benefiting Four Diamonds and the Children's Hospital. This event has been organized for over a decade, with music therapists and their patients producing a song together. Those interested in supporting music therapy at Penn State Health Children's Hospital can make a donation to the Music Therapy Fund or donate instruments. The hospital also offers internship opportunities for those enrolled in a music therapy program.
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Music therapy helps patients feel normal and minimises pain
Music therapy is a recognised profession in Pennsylvania, with the state's Senate and House passing resolutions to that effect. The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is one of five hospitals in the state chosen to participate in a music therapy program supporting frontline healthcare workers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Penn State Health system also offers music therapy to patients and their families at its general hospital and children's hospital. The program uses music and music activities to promote healing and help patients adjust to being in the hospital. The therapy addresses patients' physical and emotional needs, with sessions provided in a group or individual setting. Patients can sing, play, move, listen, or create. The goal is to help patients feel normal during their hospital experience, minimise pain, and provide an outlet for self-expression.
Music therapists work with patients from a variety of cultural and faith backgrounds, helping families stay connected to their heritage and traditions. Music therapy is also used with non-English-speaking and non-verbal patients, who use music as a common language of communication.
Music therapists are trained to comply with safety guidelines and follow specific protocols for different clinical populations. They know how changes in tempo can affect heart rates and oxygen saturation levels, and they are also trained to work with highly medically frail patients, such as premature infants in the NICU.
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Music therapy supports the well-being of healthcare workers
Music therapy is a recognised profession in Pennsylvania, with the state's Senate and House passing resolutions to that effect. It is used to promote healing and help patients adjust to being in the hospital, addressing their physical and emotional needs. Music therapy is also used to support the well-being of healthcare workers, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems were chosen to participate in a new statewide music therapy program to support front-line healthcare workers.
Music therapists are trained to follow specific safety guidelines and protocols, such as universal precautions and disinfection of instruments. They are also trained to comply with clinical requirements for different populations, including medically fragile patients like premature infants in the NICU. Therapists are aware of how changes in tempo can affect heart rates and oxygen saturation levels.
At Penn State Health, music therapists work with patients from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds, helping families stay connected to their heritage and traditions. Music is also used as a common language of communication for non-English-speaking and non-verbal patients. The therapists are part of the medical team and work collaboratively with doctors and nurses to complement the care they provide.
The Music Therapy Program at Penn State Health Children's Hospital uses music and music activities to promote healing and help children adjust to the hospital environment. During therapy sessions, children participate in music-based activities carefully selected and presented by a board-certified music therapist. Sessions may be provided in a group or individual setting, and children may sing, play, move, listen, or create. The goal is to help children feel normal during their hospital stay, minimise any pain, and provide an outlet for self-expression.
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Music therapists are trained to comply with safety guidelines
Penn State Health offers music therapy at its hospitals, including the Children's Hospital. The therapy uses music and music activities to promote healing and help patients adjust to being in the hospital. It addresses the physical and emotional needs of patients and their families. During therapy sessions, patients can sing, play, move, listen, or create. The goal is to help patients feel normal during their hospital stay, minimize pain, and provide an outlet for self-expression. Music therapists are part of the medical team and work with doctors and nurses to complement the care they provide.
In addition to addressing the physical and emotional needs of patients, music therapists also focus on the social and cognitive aspects of well-being. They may work with patients to improve their social skills, communication, and cognitive functioning. For example, music therapists may use music to help patients with memory recall or to improve their attention and concentration. Music therapists are trained to assess the patient's needs and develop a treatment plan that is safe and effective for the individual.
To ensure patient safety, music therapists also adhere to infection control guidelines. They maintain a clean and sanitary environment for their patients, particularly when using instruments that multiple patients may come into contact with. Music therapists are also trained in basic medical emergency response and know how to identify and respond to potential health risks. They work collaboratively with the patient's medical team, including doctors and nurses, to ensure that the therapy is complementary to the patient's overall care plan.
Furthermore, music therapists are trained to maintain patient confidentiality and privacy. They understand the sensitive nature of the patient-therapist relationship and adhere to ethical guidelines to protect patient information. This includes obtaining informed consent and respecting the patient's autonomy in the therapeutic process. By complying with these safety guidelines, music therapists ensure that their patients can engage in music therapy in a safe, effective, and ethical manner.
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Music therapy is recognised as a profession in Pennsylvania
Music therapy programs in Pennsylvania hospitals use music and music activities to promote healing and help patients adjust to being in the hospital. Music therapists work with patients from a variety of cultural and faith backgrounds, helping them stay connected to their heritage and traditions. Music is also used as a common language of communication with non-English-speaking and non-verbal patients.
Music therapy sessions may be provided in a group or individual setting. Patients may sing, play, move, listen, or create. The goal is to help patients feel normal during their hospital experience, minimise pain, and provide an outlet for self-expression. Patients can choose from a variety of instruments to play, which come in different shapes, sizes, and colours. Music therapists are part of the medical team and work collaboratively with doctors and nurses to complement the care they provide.
Music therapy is also used to support the well-being and resilience of healthcare workers, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems were chosen to participate in a new statewide music therapy program to support front-line healthcare workers. As part of the initiative, hospitals and health systems worked with board-certified music therapists to custom-design programs to support worker resilience and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pennsylvania has music therapy in hospitals. Penn State Health Children's Hospital, for example, has a Music Therapy Program that uses music and music activities to promote healing and help patients adjust to being in the hospital.
Music therapy addresses the physical and emotional needs of patients and their families. During music therapy sessions, patients can sing, play, move, listen, or create. The goal is to help patients feel normal during their hospital experience, minimize pain, and provide an outlet for self-expression. Music therapists are part of the medical team and work collaboratively with doctors and nurses to complement the care they provide.
If someone wishes to participate in music therapy at a hospital in Pennsylvania, they should speak with their doctor or nurse.
Music therapists are trained healthcare professionals who are educated in complying with safety guidelines, following specific protocols for different clinical populations, and responding to potentially adverse client reactions to music. To become a music therapist in Pennsylvania, one must be a licensed and credentialed professional.
