Stakeholder input into the implementation of a new music therapy program in a mental health service
| Date | 10 December 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-12-2017-0056 |
| Published date | 10 December 2018 |
| Pages | 293-307 |
| Author | Jennifer Bibb,David Castle,Katrina Skewes McFerran |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health |
Stakeholder input into the implementation
of a new music therapy program in a
mental health service
Jennifer Bibb, David Castle and Katrina Skewes McFerran
Abstract
Purpose –Music therapy programs are increasingly common and necessary in mental health services.
However, there is little knowledge of the key factors which influence the successful implementation of new
therapeutic programs. The purpose of this paper is to explore how stakeholder input influenced the
implementation and sustainability of a new music therapy program in four services within a large government
funded mental health department in Melbourne, Australia.
Design/methodology/approach –For a period of 12 months, two cycles of assessment, action and
evaluation were conducted where data were collected through interviews with staff members, feedback from
consumers and attendance in sessions.
Findings –A number of influential factors were identified as important in the successful implementation and
future sustainability of the music therapy program. These included: the degree of staff support received; how
the program was structured and facilitated; promotion of the program within the service; evaluation of the
program; and congruence with the existing therapeutic program.
Research limitations/implications –Results suggest that successful implementation and future
sustainability of a music therapy program is dependent on the flexibility of the program to the context and
culture of the existing setting.
Originality/value –This is the first study to incorporate contributions from stakeholders in the
implementation of a new music therapy program in a mental health service.
Keywords Action research, Music therapy, Programme evaluation, Mental health recovery
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Music therapy is “a research-based practice and profession in which music is used to actively
support people as they strive to improve their health, functioning and wellbeing”(Australian
Music Therapy Association, 2017). Music therapists working in mental health settings are
qualified professionals who use music and therapeutic skills to support people to participate in
music experiences such as singing, playing instruments and writing songs, within the context of
a therapeutic relationship. Qualification requirements for music therapists differ internationally,
but typically require undergraduate or masters level university training and registration with an
organization which abides by a code of ethics.
Music therapy is a re latively new health discipline and pro grams are often fun ded on
a pilot basis with limited term funding. In Australia, there are only 131 music therapists working
in mental health ser vices nationally (Ja ck et al., 2016), despite there being 1,607 specialist
mental health services in Australia (Commonwealth of Australia, 2017). As such, it is
common for music ther apists to introduce a music therapy prog ram to a mental health setting
where there is no exi sting program. De spite this, there is little research on the essential
factors necessar y for implementing or sustaining a music therap y program in a mental
health setting.
Received 20 December 2017
Revised 5 June 2018
Accepted 24 September 2018
Jennifer Bibb is based at the St
Vincent’s Mental Health
Service, St Vincent’s Hospital
Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia;
and National Music Therapy
Research Unit, Faculty of VCA
and MCM, University of
Melbourne, Melbourne,
Australia.
David Castle is Professor at the
St Vincent’s Mental Health
Service, St Vincent’s Hospital
Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia;
and is at Department of
Psychiatry, University of
Melbourne, Carlton, Australia.
Katrina Skewes McFerran is
Professor at the National Music
Therapy Research Unit, Faculty
of VCA and MCM, University of
Melbourne, Melbourne,
Australia.
DOI 10.1108/MHRJ-12-2017-0056 VOL. 23 NO. 4 2018, pp. 293-307, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1361-9322
j
MENTALHEALTH REVIEW JOURNAL
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PAG E 29 3
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