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In mid-July, the American Music Therapy Association hosted a symposium titled “Improving Access and Quality: Music Therapy Research 2025.” This meeting was the first of its kind in the United States and welcomed music therapy students, researchers, and educators. Several discussion topics were addressed in large and small groups.Dr. Gene Behrens attended and offered the following report.
I was fortunate to attend the research “think tank” sponsored by AMTA, “Improving Access and Quality: Music Therapy Research 2025” in Baltimore, MD, July 16-18. The purpose of the gathering was to present and discuss the future of research in music therapy—where do we want to be in 10 years. It was exciting to be among a group of fellow music therapists who also live for research! The first portion of our time involved presentations by researchers, educators, government relations staff, and others highlighting what we have been doing well and what changes some of our colleagues believe are needed to take us through the next 10 years. Next, the group was divided into six smaller focus groups, each with a topic area to discuss and brainstorm possible plans concerning policy, strategic plans, funding, and training to support the growth of research in music therapy over the next 10 years. Last, we gathered on Saturday morning to hear highlights from each of the focus groups and ended with comments and discussion. Some of the themes included investigating best practices in training, conducting, and implementing research; new methods for funding; involvement of clients in the planning process; and opportunities for clinicians, educators, graduate students, and post-doc students to conduct research. The future of research in music therapy is thrilling – will be challenging – and will demand that we all get involved. More will be coming from AMTA and our Mid-Atlantic Region Research Committee! (Personal communication, August 23, 2015)
Also in attendance were Dr. Blythe LaGasse and Dr. Meganne Masko; their reflections follow.
The AMTA Research 2025 event provided an opportunity for reflection on music therapy research and discussion about the future of music therapy research. The different papers and presentations allowed for representation from multiple perspectives. The open question times further added different ideas and considerations on the different topics. Work groups focused on specific topics and reported their recommendations back to the larger groups. Overall I found this to be a very energetic and collaborative environment. I left the weekend with a realization of what is needed in the field, but also a renewed excitement for engagement in music therapy research. (B. LaGasse, personal communication, July 29, 2015)The whole weekend was inspiring and challenging. I learned much from Dr. Pamela Hinds' opening remarks about legacy making. She laid the groundwork for collegial and focused work on the future of music therapy research. Her comment that the purpose of research is to learn something that benefits others struck a chord with me. I believe the information discussed at MTR2025, which will be shared with the membership in the coming weeks and months, provides our profession with a roadmap of how to help create and support research opportunities in the coming years. As the title of the symposium suggests, the end goal is to increase access to quality services. Here are the major points I took home with me:
- Hinds spoke about creating our legacy. Part of that process is recognizing activities in support of the legacy, as well as activities that distract from the legacy. We need to decide what distracts us from our legacy as a profession and then agree to let those things go
- There is room at the table for all types of research (basic lab science, historical, philosophical, clinical), methodology (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods), and theoretical approaches
- Dissemination of research is just as important as conducting quality research. Research is only useful if people can access it and learn from it. (M. Masko, personal communication, August 18 & 19, 2015):
For more information about the symposium, visit the AMTA website for the MTR 2025 progress report.Information provided by Dr. Anita Gadberry, USAWFMT Regional Liaison, North America
