“There is a significant amount of research showing that patient outcomes, quality of care, and cost of care delivery are all optimized when disciplines work together toward a shared goal that focuses on the patient.”
– Heidi Sanborn, RN, MSN, CCRN, Clinical Assistant Professor at Arizona State University College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation.
At JB Music Therapy, we hold the belief that collaboration is essential for growth and maximizing the quality of care we provide. Partnering with organizations, care teams, and other allied health professionals allows us to see firsthand the improved outcomes that arise from collaborative care. Each partnership brings unique expertise and perspectives, creating a comprehensive approach that considers all aspects of a client’s well-being. Working closely together allows us to address not only the physical needs of clients but also their emotional, cognitive, and social health, expanding therapy beyond traditional boundaries.
For example, pairing music therapy with physiotherapy can make exercises more engaging and encourage active participation. Collaborating with spiritual care providers allows music therapy to help clients explore meaning, faith, and comfort, offering emotional peace and connection in difficult times. When working alongside wellness coordinators, collaborative care helps us address client needs more comprehensively, music therapy becomes a powerful tool for promoting mental well-being and managing stress, fostering an environment where music therapy and other disciplines can unite for the benefit of the whole person.
Enhancing Patient-Centered Care through Collaborative Music Therapy
Music Therapy in Allied Health: When music therapists collaborate with physiotherapists, speech-language pathologists, nurses or spiritual care providers, each session is enriched, allowing for customized care tailored to the patient’s unique needs. These cross-disciplinary interactions facilitate creative approaches that improve patient participation, engagement, and overall satisfaction with their healthcare experience.
Example of Effective Co-Treatment: One inspiring case involved a young stroke patient working with both a music therapist and a speech-language pathologist. Although initially disengaged, the patient responded positively to familiar songs, gradually finding motivation to participate in speech exercises. This co-treatment model is a powerful demonstration of how music therapy can play an active role in speech rehabilitation, adding an emotionally engaging element to challenging tasks.
Interdisciplinary Music Therapy in Healthcare: A Collaborative Approach
- Recreation Therapy: music therapy supports social engagement, promoting connection and enhancing quality of life during extended hospital stays and complex recoveries.
- Physiotherapy: the rhythmic structure in music provides a supportive framework for physical exercises, encouraging prolonged participation and coordination.
- Speech-Language Pathology: activities like singing and lining out (filling in the lyrics) aid vocal recovery, turning communication exercises into enjoyable, purposeful interactions.
- Social Work: preferred music reduces stress and facilitates meaningful emotional connections between patients and families, creating a calming environment conducive to therapeutic progress.
- Spiritual Care: reflective music sessions foster open conversations about faith, comfort, and life purpose, supporting spiritual well-being in a compassionate setting.
- Nursing: music therapy complements holistic nursing care by reducing anxiety, supporting pain management, and stabilizing blood pressure.
Building Organizational Partnerships for Broader Impact
To maximize the effectiveness of music therapy, we prioritize establishing strong partnerships with healthcare organizations. By positioning music therapy as a core element of comprehensive care, we can bridge treatment gaps and enhance the client’s recovery experience. Collaboration with organizations dedicated to mental health, long-term care, and patient rehabilitation allows us to integrate music therapy into regular care routines, reaching clients during challenging phases of their healthcare journey.
The Role of Champions: We believe in empowering champions within organizations who recognize and advocate for music therapy’s unique value. Leaders in healthcare and education who understand the consistent benefits of music therapy are instrumental in expanding its reach. Their support is crucial in promoting the integration of music therapy across diverse care settings, from intensive care to outpatient recovery programs.
Music Therapy: Beyond a Standalone Service
Music therapy is more than a service—it’s a bridge that connects disciplines, fostering a whole-person care model that meets patients where they are and supports them through every phase of recovery. As we continue to build and nurture partnerships with care teams across various disciplines, we witness firsthand the profound impact of collaborative care in transforming lives and improving outcomes.