Music Therapy Private Practice in the United States: Updated Financial and Marketing Recommendations

Author(s):  
Kyle Wilhelm ◽  
Andrew Knight

Abstract More and more music therapists in the United States are entering into private practice. For a private practice to survive, a therapist must make sound financial and marketing decisions that can have wide-ranging implications on the success of the business. Clear and current recommendations from music therapists in private practice can help those wanting to go into private practice as well as those already in private practice. The purpose of this study was to identify a current descriptive profile of music therapists in private practice in the United States as well as marketing and financial recommendations. In addition, comparing this survey with previous surveys can reveal possible trends in the field. Music therapists (N = 745) who self-identified as being self-employed or in private practice were sent a survey designed by the researchers. A total of 193 respondents returned the survey revealing that current therapists in private practice are better educated and value the internet and social media for marketing and session implementation more than respondents of previous surveys. Respondents recommend that music therapists in private practice continually learn by taking business classes and consulting with business experts; diversify funding sources, service options, and populations served; and connect with music therapists and nonmusic therapists in the community.

Author(s):  
Tarika Daftary-Kapur ◽  
Steven D. Penrod

Although juror misconduct has always been a concern, the prevalence of technology available to jurors has increased the ease with which jurors can improperly communicate with others, publish information regarding the trial, and conduct outside research on the case. This chapter discusses the role of the Internet and social media in the courtroom and how access to this information in the form of midtrial publicity might impact juror decision-making. Additionally, it discusses steps that have been taken by courts around the United States to address the issue of Internet use by jurors as well as recommendations to limit the impact of the Internet and social media on juror decision-making.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Wilhelm ◽  
Lindsey Wilhelm

Abstract As a music therapy private practice is both a business and a healthcare service, it should adhere to ethical standards from both disciplines. However, this topic has rarely been examined in the music therapy literature. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore ethical dilemmas experienced by music therapy business owners (MTBOs) in their private practice and how MTBOs avoid or address ethical dilemmas. Utilizing convenience and snowball sampling techniques, 21 MTBOs in the United States were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. To answer the two areas of inquiry, we identified three themes and 12 subthemes: (1) Ethical issues related to client welfare, (2) Ethical issues related to business relationships and operation, and (3) Strategies to address or avoid ethical dilemmas. MTBOs also shared how they ensure ethical behavior in themselves, with their employees or independent contractors, and when interacting with professionals outside the private practice. These findings provide a better understanding of MTBOs’ lived experiences of ethics in their private practice and may benefit other music therapists who are in private practice or are wanting to go into private practice. Limitations and recommendations for further research are provided.


Author(s):  
Lindsey Wilhelm ◽  
Kyle Wilhelm

Abstract In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many music therapists in the United States turned to telehealth music therapy sessions as a strategy to continue services with older adults. However, the nature and perception of telehealth music therapy services for this age group are unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe music therapy telehealth practices with older adults in the United States including information related to session implementation, strengths and challenges, and adaptations to clinical practice. Of the 110 participants in the United States who responded to the survey (25.2% response rate), 69 reported implementing telehealth music therapy services with older adults and responded to a 32-item survey. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results indicated that while all participants had provided telehealth music therapy for no more than 6 months, their experiences with telehealth varied. Based on participant responses, telehealth session structure, strengths, challenges, and implemented changes are presented. Overall, 48% of music therapists reported that they planned to continue telehealth music therapy with older adults once pandemic restrictions are lifted. Further study on the quality, suitability, and acceptability of telehealth services with older adults is recommended.


Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011196
Author(s):  
Abhimanyu Mahajan ◽  
Zachary London ◽  
Andrew M. Southerland ◽  
Jaffar Khan ◽  
Erica Schuyler

International Medical Graduates (IMGs), individuals who graduated from medical school outside of the United States or Canada, constitute 31.3% of active neurologists and one-third of current neurology trainees. While three-fourths of IMG neurology trainees are not U.S. citizens, they are an integral part of our trainee and practice workforce. IMGs play a vital role in providing greater access to healthcare for millions of patients, particularly in traditionally underserved regions and in the face of a current global healthcare crisis.With this article, we outline some of the unique challenges faced by immigrant, U.S.-trained neurologists as they seek to provide neurological care across the country, including preparing and applying for residency, securing authorization to remain in the U.S. to practice, and positioning themselves for successful careers in academic and private practice. We also call for advocacy and legislation to help reduce these barriers as a means to address the increasing physician workforce gap.


Author(s):  
Tuve Floden

Muslim television preachers, also called Muslim televangelists or media preachers, became popular with the rise of television, satellite networks, and the Internet. However, these individuals can trace their roots to earlier preachers who used newspapers, radio, and cassettes, as well as the phenomenon of popular storytellers from the medieval period. Today, Muslim television preachers are found worldwide, both inside and outside the Arab world, in countries such as Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United States, and more. Some of these preachers have traditional religious educations, with degrees from Al-Azhar or elsewhere, but many do not, instead holding degrees in subjects like business, accounting, or engineering. Like their counterparts from other religions, Muslim television preachers have also expanded beyond the realm of television and often spread their message through other means, such as seminars and lectures, book publications, websites, videos on YouTube, and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Prominent examples of Muslim television preachers include Amr Khaled and Yusuf al-Qaradawi, as well as others like Muhammad al-Sha‘rawi and Moez Masoud of Egypt, Muhammad Hassan and Wagdi Ghoneim (Salafi preachers from Egypt), Javed Ahmad Ghamidi and Farhat Hashmi of Pakistan, Zakir Naik of India, Abdullah Gymnastiar (Aa Gym) and Arifin Ilham of Indonesia, Tareq al-Suwaidan of Kuwait, and Ahmad al-Shugairi of Saudi Arabia, to name a few.


Author(s):  
Pavel Zemliansky ◽  
Olena Goroshko

In recent years, cross-national web-based teaching projects have become very popular in many fields. During such projects, participants from different countries work together on collaborative tasks. Communications among project participants take place over the Internet, including via social media. In this chapter, the author reports the results of social media use in one such project, which brought together students from the United States and Ukraine. A pre and post project survey taken by the participants demonstrate the main opportunities and challenges afforded by social media to educators. The reporting and analysis of the survey results are preceded by a review of relevant literature, which contextualizes our findings.


The COVID-19 pandemic has colored the politics of 2020 from international to domestic, and the responses by countries have been politicized and limited by various actors. Regimes, both democratic and not, are using the chaotic pandemic environment to consolidate power under the executive, control the masses through decree, and shifting towards national and power bloc supply chains from the international supply chain that has been for all nations in the era of globalization and immediately after. This chapter will provide insight into how various nation-states are using nationalism to combat the pandemic, including the United States, United Kingdom, Chile, Russia, and Hungary. The chapter highlights the availability of the internet and social media platforms to spread mis- and dis-information that can hinder the work of a legitimate government attempting to respond earnestly and effectively to the pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Knott ◽  
Marial Biard ◽  
Kirsten E Nelson ◽  
Stephanie Epstein ◽  
Sheri L Robb ◽  
...  

Abstract Music therapy is becoming a standard supportive care service in many pediatric hospitals across the United States. However, more detailed information is needed to advance our understanding about current clinical practice and increase availability of pediatric music therapy services. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to collect and summarize data about music therapists working in pediatric medical settings. Specifically, we collected information about (1) therapist demographics, (2) organizational structure, (3) service delivery and clinical practice, and (4) administrative/supervisory responsibilities. Board-certified music therapists working in pediatric medical settings (n = 118) completed a 37-item online questionnaire. We analyzed survey data using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings indicated that there is a ratio of approximately one music therapist for every 100 patient beds, that one-third of respondents are the only music therapist in their setting, and that half of the surveyed positions are philanthropically funded. Prioritizing patient referrals based on acuity was common (95.7%, n = 110), with palliative care and pain as the most highly prioritized needs. More than half of respondents reported serving in high acuity areas such as the pediatric intensive care, hematology/oncology, or neonatal intensive care units. We recommend replication of this survey in five years to examine growth and change in service delivery among pediatric music therapists over time, with additional studies to (a) explore how therapist-to-patient ratios influence quality of care, (b) identify factors that contribute to sustainability of programs, and (c) determine how expansion of services support a broader population of patients and families.


Author(s):  
Kimberly Sena Moore ◽  
Laurie Peebles

Abstract Music therapy services are currently being reimbursed through state and private insurance funding streams, yet to date, there is no known systematic exploration on music therapy reimbursement practices. Such information would be helpful to include when communicating with third-party payers and can assist in tracking reimbursement trends. Thus, we sought to provide baseline information on how music therapy services are currently being reimbursed in the United States, with a focus on approved treatment parameters, referral sources, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes used, and types of music interventions and music therapy experiences implemented. Board-certified music therapists in private practice who had successfully obtained reimbursement for music therapy services between 2012 and 2018 completed a 28-item online survey. In total, 7 respondents provided information on 55 unique reimbursement cases from 5 different states, most of which were based on Medicaid waiver programs. We conducted descriptive analyses to summarize music therapy reimbursement practices. Most of the clients were referred by doctors or physician’s assistants. The most common CPT code utilized was 97530 (Therapeutic Activities, one-on-one, each 15 minutes), and most of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) diagnostic codes were based on specific diagnoses rather than general clinical needs. In most of the cases, reimbursement of music therapy was ongoing, and services incorporated a variety of music therapy methods, with few specific music interventions identified. Most notably, reimbursement practice varied by state; thus, we recommend the creation and dissemination of state-specific surveys.


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