Music therapy & paediatric palliative care: translating research into clinical practice to improve the quality of services.

Music therapy is an evidence-based practice provided to children with a life-limiting illness and their families. Research supports its ability to enhance quality of life, contribute to symptom management, and create opportunities for positive memory making. The benefits of music therapy have been recognised by the Queensland Palliative Care Service (PPCS), via its unique and personalised clinical service provision and an innovative research project. This presentation will explore the findings of a mixed methods research project, and its impact on improving the quality of music therapy clinical services within the PPCS. Established in 2012, the model of care and the growth of music therapy services within the PPCS will be demonstrated. Investigating the effect of music therapy on pain and memory making for children with life-threatening illness and their families, this research project has value-added to the analysis of music therapy data within the PPCS, and contributed to future service preparation and planning.