The experiences of hospice patients and the music therapy clinician in hospice care

This thesis reports on a phenomenological inquiry into the experiences of hospice patients and music therapy clinician in end of life care. Three total participants were included in this study, two hospice patients and the music therapy clinician. Interventions included singing familiar songs, music for relaxation and Music and Imagery, an adaptation of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. Each hospice patient participated in two music therapy sessions, plus an interview. Data included audio recorded sessions and interview, a process journal kept by music therapist, clinical observations, and one of the participant\u27s mandala. Data was analyzed according to Moustakas\u27 modification of the Stevick - Colaizzi - Keen method of Transcendental Phenomenology. Experiences for the hospice patients include themes of Positive Experience with Music, Positive Experience with Music and Pain, Negative Experience with Music, Music and Imagery, The Artist, Coping, The Mandala, Processing Music and Imagery and Transcendence. Experiences for the therapist include Feelings, Clinical Awareness, Meeting my Own Needs, Desire to Help, Ebb and Flow, and the Guide Following. Implications for further research are given