Service Evaluation: Music Therapy and Medicine for the Elderly

Abstract

This paper describes a six-month evaluation of the music therapy service in a Medicine for the Elderly unit. It describes the unit and introduces the role of music therapy in this clinical area, with reference to relevant literature. The service evaluation is then described in detail. Four evaluation methods are presented. A user feedback questionnaire, which was designed by the writer for music therapists, is presented with results and discussion. A twelve-week music therapy group is observed and evaluated using rating scales to measure the level of patient communication and interaction within and outside the group. Two clinical vignettes are presented and, finally, qualitative observations are outlined.

The paper then describes how these four methods were used to produce management recommendations for future service planning. It highlights the need for service providers to engage in consultation with service users when planning and reviewing services. It emphasises how important it is for music therapists to evaluate their services, and sets out this model in the hope that it will provide ideas and guidance for therapists wishing to do the same.