Music Therapy in an Integrated Pediatric Palliative Care Program.  


Author: Knapp C, Madden V, Wang H, Curtis C, Sloyer P, Shenkman E. 

Affiliation: University of Florida. 
Conference/Journal: Am J Hosp Palliat Care
Date published: 2009 Aug 7
Other:
  Word Count: 119  
    National experts have recommended that children with life-limiting illnesses receive integrated palliative and medical care. These programs offer a variety of services, including music therapy. Using survey data from parents whose were enrolled in Florida\'s Partners in Care: Together for Kids (PIC:TFK) program, this study investigates parents\' experiences with music therapy. About 44% of children with life-limiting illnesses and 17% of their siblings used music therapy. For children who used music therapy, multivariate results suggest that their parents were 23 times as likely to report satisfaction with the overall PIC:TFK program (P < .05) versus parents whose children did not use music therapy. Pediatric palliative care programs should include music therapy, although recruiting licensed music therapists may be challenging.