All in Good Time: A Music Therapist’s Reflection of Providing a Music Therapy Program in a Pediatric Cancer Center Over 20 Years

Authors

  • Beth Dun MMus Thrpy, AMusA, RMT

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v3i1.255

Abstract

This is a reflective article, based on the author’s 20 years of experience working as a music therapist in the field of pediatric cancer care at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. During this time, the music therapy program has evolved from a 5-hour a week consultation into a successful, integrated service comprising 45 hours per week. Reflections include details of how the program has developed over time, reflections of what has influenced this, and some significant aspects of music therapy service delivery identified by the author. These reflections may be useful to others providing similar services in the field of pediatric cancer care, and will offer recommendations for starting out in this field, by expanding the way we envision working within the field.

Keywords

pediatric, cancer, music therapy, children

Author Biography

Beth Dun, MMus Thrpy, AMusA, RMT

Beth Dun, MMus Thrpy, AMusA, RMT, was the inaugural music therapist at the Royal Children’s Hospital in 1991 and is currently the coordinator of the Music Therapy Unit at RCH. Beth has worked across all areas of the hospital including cancer, neurosciences, reha- bilitation, burns, orthopedics, cardiology, day surgery, liver trans- plants, thoracic, and renal. Her current clinical focus is on the Children’s Cancer Centre.

Issue

Section

Full Length Articles