Survey of current functions of a music therapist

Active music therapists (n = 466) responded to a national survey concerning the role and functions of a music therapist. The survey included demographic information and task inventory in four areas: (a) indirect service and program preparation or planning, (b) evaluation, (c) intervention programs, and (d) adaptive equipment and material. The purpose of the survey was to identify the roles, functions, and competencies performed by music therapy personnel; responses should not be interpreted as tasks that should be practiced. Each of the 157 survey items was analyzed via descriptive statistics, a two-way frequency analysis, and factor analysis. This repeated for the total group (n = 466) and for groups sorted by employment categories. Further analysis of each item investigated response differences between male and female music therapists and individuals whose age was over 35 or under 35. Data analyzed by group, age, and sex characteristics will be presented in subsequent reports.