Music therapy in hospice: Spanish language repertoire, approaches, and challenges
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate Spanish language repertoire with
Spanish-speaking patients, as well as specific techniques and challenges used by music
therapists in the hospice setting. An electronic survey was sent out to music therapists via
email and social media, whereby 17 music therapists completed the survey. The first
section of the survey asked what Spanish language songs music therapists use most
frequently in the following genres: Traditional/folk; Patriotic; Religious; Popular;
Children’s; and Other. The second section of the survey consisted of approaches and
techniques music therapists used in their practice with Spanish-speaking patients, as well
as well as challenges they have encountered. The results of this study revealed a total of
49 songs used by music therapists. Results also indicated the music therapy intervention,
“singing for reminiscence,” as their most frequently used. Regarding challenges faced
when working with Spanish-speaking patients, language barrier was a common factor
that music therapists faced. Further results are discussed in the paper.