A survey of midwestern general hospital administrator's opinions regarding music therapy

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the opinions of midwestern general hoapital administrators regarding music therapy and to determine what percentage of these hospitals include music therapy in their treatment programs. Also, the study attempted to identify the factors which exclude music therapy programs.A questionnaire was developed and disseminated to stratified random sample of 150 general hospital administrators from small, medium, and large hospitals. Results were determined from the information provided by the 78 (52%) questionnaires that were returned. Analysis of the data identified nine (12.5%) hospital administrators who had music therapy in their hospitals. Overall, responses regarding hospital administrator's opinions were conservative, yet leaned toward a positive response regarding music therapy goals, uses, purposes and identification of appropriate patients. Significant differences among small, medium, and large general hospital administrator's opinions were seldom beyond the .05 level of confidence. While the majority of administrators (n=41, 60%) indicated having heard of music therapy previously, there is a need to further educate general hospital administrators regarding music therapy. Likewise, there is a need to promote the profession of music therapy with this administrative population. Results of this study may be used in aiding those music therapists in the general hospital job market.

Keyword(s): General-hospital, administrator, opinions.

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