Staff attitudes and expectations about music therapy: pediatric oncology versus neonatal intensive care unit

Music is commonly used to reduce stress, but it has not been universally adopted in inpatient and outpatient settings. We compared the attitudes of staff in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the pediatric outpatient hematology oncology unit (PEDS ONC) toward music therapy. A cross-sectional survey of NICU staff was performed in the winter of 2003 and of PEDS ONC staff in the summer of 2005. Eligible subjects were 187 NICU and 20 PEDS ONC staff members. Surveys were distributed by e-mail, in person, and in staff mail boxes. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression. t-Tests and chi-square test were used to compare responses in the two units. The response rate was 75% in the NICU and 100% in PEDS ONC unit. Staff in the two locations were similar: the mean age of the staff was 37 years in NICU and 40 years in the PEDS ONC (p>.1); over 80% of the staff were female in both units and most (70% in the NICU, 75% in PEDS ONC) reported some previous musical training . Most agreed that music enjoyed by patients could reduce stress (86% in the NICU, 100% in PEDS ONC) and improve sleep (79% in the NICU, 95% in PEDS ONC). Attitudes toward music in both clinical settings were significantly associated with prior musical training , experience, and profession. Staff in both the NICU and PEDS ONC hold favorable attitudes toward music for patients. Staff attitudes in both inpatient and outpatient settings are not barriers to providing music therapy.