Highlights In an emergency situation it is possible to put in place a remote MT support intervention. Clinical Staff define this structured intervention as empathic, supportive and professional. MTps were able to create a remote therapeutic relationship with Clinical staff (CS). Self-administration of music by CS would not have been enough to achieve the objective of the present study. Few studies have been conducted so far with a focus on MT support to CS assisting COVID patients.

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The COVID-19 pandemic meant that people’s lives and work changed significantly across the world. Governments took measures such as social distancing, lockdowns and quarantine protocols to stem the spread of the pandemic. This had a significant impact on music therapy clinical practice, generating reflections and adaptations among the worldwide music therapy community, with several studies still underway. A number of professional music therapy organisations have explored methods for carrying out remote interventions. MusicTeamCare is an approach developed by three Italian Certified Music Therapists that could offer access to support in emergency and crisis situations. This approach is rooted in receptive music therapy theory, with particular reference to Guided Imagery and Music (GIM). MusicTeamCare was used for the first time in March to April 2020, with healthcare workers in Italy who were treating COVID-19 patients. This article outlines theoretical framework, development and evaluation phases of MusicTeamCare. Detailed explanations are given of the theoretical framework, methods of musical analysis, assessment and evaluation strategies, criteria for constructing the playlists and interactive triangulation between the Music Therapists in the research team.