A survey of oncology healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes toward the use of music as a therapeutic tool in healthcare.

BACKGROUND

Music as a therapeutic tool, defined as "music care," can help manage physical and psychological symptoms in individuals with cancer. There is further need to understand interest level and the potential role of music care among health professionals working in the field of oncology.

PURPOSE

To investigate knowledge of and attitudes toward the use of music as a therapeutic tool in cancer and palliative care, as well as to identify barriers associated with learning to use music in care among health professionals.

METHODS

Participants (N = 204), mostly nurses working in oncology and palliative care, completed a survey to assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward the use of music in healthcare practice.

RESULTS

In total, 55.5% of participants reported being "somewhat or very knowledgeable" about how to apply/use music therapy for the management of symptoms or on how to make a music therapy referral or for any application of music care. Participants demonstrated a high interest level in learning how to incorporate music into practice (mean = 4.05; SD = 1.045).

CONCLUSION

While there is generally high interest and perceived value among nurses in music care interventions, knowledge level about such interventions was low. The study has implications for knowledge translation and education needed to further support uptake and use of music care in nursing practice.