Exploring Music Consumption by Nursing Students and Their Disposition to Apply Music Therapy in the Future Professional Practice

Abstract

The objectives of this study were: 1) to investigate if nursing students use of music to manage of health problems as pain, emotional or relationship problems; 2) to analyze if they would be willing to use music therapy in the future and to add education about music therapy in nursing programs in a University from southeast Spain.

The study was carried out among students of Nursing Degree (2º year enrolled in the compulsory subject of Palliative Care -2016/2017 and 2017/2018-). The questionnaire was validated, self-administered and completed anonymously. It was composed of 10 questions about use of music to alleviate discomfort or as a motivating element and if they would apply music therapy in their work. Statistical analysis: Descriptive and Student's t test.

A total of 339 students fully completed questionnaires. Response rate: 91%. The majority of them would include a subject on music therapy in the degree studies in Nursing (95%; n=323). Of respondents, 97% (n=328) had used music to alleviate the discomfort in sadness (35%), discouragement (24%) or stress (22%). Of students, 96% (n=325) had used the music as a motivating or inspiring element: to motivate itself (50%); to study (43%) or playing sport (37%). The survey revealed that 96% of them would be willing to use music therapy in the future as healthcare personnel.

To conclude, music could help nursing students gain stability during university life. Therefore, it would be necessary to include it as a part of the nursing course to improve their integrated abilities.