Decision Factors Contributing to Music Therapy Students Selecting an Internship in the Hospice Setting

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the general factors that contribute to the decision-making process when choosing a music therapy internship and ascertain targeted factors that might impact an individual when considering a music therapy internship in a hospice setting. Participants who completed the survey (n=472) included student music therapists pre internship, student music therapists currently at internship or internship arranged, and professional music therapists and music therapy educators. Results indicated the general factors that participants considered when selecting an internship were: geographic location, setting, and population. Targeted factors that caused participants to make a selection for an internship in the hospice setting included: providing services to both the patient and their family, emotional context of working in a hospice setting, and working within a transdisciplinary team model. Through analysis of additional comments participants provided, some viewed hospice as a rewarding experience, while others commented on how they had experience working within the hospice setting and felt called to this setting. Targeted factors that caused participants to not want to consider an internship in the hospice included: working around individuals who are dying, emotional context of working in a hospice setting, and driving to multiple sites to provide therapy services. These participants were also provided an opportunity to make additional comments about their decision-making process and stated that they did not choose hospice because of the emotional strain, or perhaps had a desire to work in a specific setting other than hospice.