Music therapy in the medical setting : a music therapy program proposal for the Mercy Medical Hospital

Abstract

This music therapy program proposal has been designed for implementation at the Mercy Medical Hospital in Rockville Centre, NY. Music therapy is a unique healthcare profession that utilizes music to assist individuals from all age groups improve their physical, emotional, social, communication, and cognitive functioning. This proposal will define music therapy, and delineate the research of the effectiveness of music therapy on the physical and emotional needs of medical patients. A proposed weekly schedule and details of music therapy sessions with descriptions of music therapy methods and their variations including materials, goals, and benefits are included. The financial implications of the program are detailed, including salary, equipment and other program expenses. The connections of music therapy and the mission of the facility are presented, as well as context for implementation of this music therapy program.