Supportive Cancer Care at the End of Life: Mapping the Cultural Landscape in Palliative Care and Music Therapy

Authors

  • Lucy Forrest RMT

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v3i1.258

Abstract

In recent decades, the fields of palliative care and music therapy have undergone rapid formal and global development, to be practiced in many countries and cultures. Simultaneous with the global development of palliative care and music therapy has been the world-wide movement of migrants and refugees1 which has ‘‘resulted in many . . . societies . . . becoming increasingly ethnically and culturally diverse.’’ This has led to a growing awareness of the richly diverse cultural experiences and traditions that both clinicians and clients bring to end-of-life care and music therapy. This paper maps the discussion of cultural issues in palliative care and music therapy. The literature will be examined, key issues identified, and the impact of these on the provision of culturally appropriate palliative care and music therapy services explored, and a framework offered for considering the cultural landscape of palliative music therapy practice.

Keywords

culture, music therapy, palliative care

Author Biography

Lucy Forrest, RMT

Lucy Forrest, RMT, is the music therapist at Mercy Palliative Care, and provides palliative and bereavement support to children and adults living with a life-threatening illness, and their families.

Issue

Section

Full Length Articles