Working Ways: Tips for Job Success

The inherent challenges in creative musical performance in a paediatric hospital setting

“…Aasgaard points out that amongst the challenges that a music therapist is likely to face while performing in hospitals is the ability to improvise musically and environmentally in a variety of situations as well as the issue of satisfying the high level of expectations from the hospital staff and the carers. This aspect in particular has been described as one of the most recurrent sources of burn out 1 in music therapists, together with the lack of support from within the institutions where they work (Knoll, Reuer, & Henry, 1988). A more recent survey conducted by Decuir and Vega (2010) found that, amongst the primary factors contributing to burn out in music therapists, there were few employment and advancement opportunities in their careers along with low salaries.…”

“…These were: (1) the interdisciplinary nature of music therapy; (2) being part of the growth and development of a new and expanding profession; (3) the personal and professional growth experienced through clinical practice; (4) observing the dynamic relationship between music and the patient; (5) working in a musical environment; and (6) music’s unique ability to reach across generations. Additionally, among the sources of job satisfaction the literature reports the experience of working in collaboration with other music therapists (Knoll et al, 1988), the continuous personal and professional development (Stewart, 2000), having supervisions (Sutton, 2002) and witnessing changes in one’s client (Hills, Norman, & Forster, 2000).…”