Exploring the Synergy of Music and Medicine in Healthcare: Expert Insights into the Curative and Societal Role of the Relationship between Music and Medicine.

Our study aimed to investigate the correlation between medicine, health perception, and music as well as the role of music in the healthcare setting. To gain insights into the dynamics between these two fields, we gathered opinions from attendees and presenters at an international conference on music medicine, musicians' health, and music therapy. A team of six interviewers conducted a total of 26 semi-structured interviews. The interview guide focused on four predetermined themes: (1) "music in medicine", (2) "performing arts medicine", (3) "music for the individual", and (4) "music for society". The responses were analyzed using grounded theory methods as well as thematic and content analysis. To enhance the analytical strength, investigator triangulation was employed. Within the predefined themes, we identified several subthemes. Theme 1 encompassed topics such as "listening and performing music for treating diseases and establishing non-verbal relationships", "the value of music in specific disorders, end-of-life care, and pain management", and "the design of sound spaces". Theme 2 explored aspects including the "denial and taboo surrounding physical and mental health issues among musicians", "the importance of prevention", and an antithesis: "pain and suffering driving creativity". Theme 3 addressed the "mental role of music in ordinary and extraordinary life" as well as "music's ability to enable self-conditioning". Lastly, Theme 4 examined the role of music in "cultural self-identification" and "development and education for children". Throughout the interviews, participants expressed a lack of knowledge and awareness regarding interdisciplinary research and the fields of music and medicine. Our findings affirm the significance of music therapy and performing arts medicine as well as the broader relationship between music and medicine. They highlight the potential benefits of perception and experiential pathways for individuals and, consequently, for human society.

Experiences and challenges faced by patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalised and participated in a randomised controlled trial: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: As part of a randomised controlled trial, this qualitative study aimed to identify experiences and challenges of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 during illness and treatment (objective 1: COVID-19-related perspectives; objective 2: trial participation-related perspectives). DESIGN: Semistructured interviews following a prespecified interview guide, transcribed verbatim and analysed in accordance with the grounded theory process. Investigator triangulation served to ensure rigour of the analysis. SETTING: Interviews were embedded in a multicentre, randomised, active-controlled, open-label platform trial testing efficacy and safety of experimental therapeutics for patients with COVID-19 (Austrian Corona Virus Adaptive Clinical Trial). PARTICIPANTS: 20 patients (60±15 years) providing 21 interviews from 8 June 2020 to 25 April 2021. RESULTS: Qualitative data analysis revealed four central themes with subthemes. Theme 1, 'A Severe Disease', related to objective 1, was characterised by subthemes 'symptom burden', 'unpredictability of the disease course', 'fear of death' and 'long-term aftermaths with lifestyle consequences'. Theme 2, 'Saved and Burdened by Hospitalization', related to objective 1, comprised patients describing their in-hospital experience as 'safe haven' versus 'place of fear', highlighting the influence of 'isolation'. Theme 3, 'Managing One's Own Health', related to objective 1, showed how patients relied on 'self-management' and 'coping' strategies. Theme 4, 'Belief in Medical Research', related to objective 2, captured patients' 'motivation for study participation', many expressing 'information gaps' and 'situational helplessness' in response to study inclusion, while fewer mentioned 'therapy side-effects' and provided 'study reflection'. Investigator triangulation with an expert focus group of three doctors who worked at the study centre confirmed the plausibility of these results. CONCLUSIONS: Several of the identified themes (2, 3, 4) are modifiable and open for interventions to improve care of patients with COVID-19. Patient-specific communication and information is of utmost importance during clinical trial participation, and was criticised by participants of the present study. Disease self-management should be actively encouraged. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04351724.

[Shedding tears in hospitals - a survey of medical staff and students]. / Tränen im Krankenhaus - eine Bestandsaufnahme unter Arzten, Pflegepersonal und Medizinstudenten.

A questionnaire was used to investigate the crying behavior of medical personnel and medical students in Austrian hospitals. The results from 275 respondents show that shedding tears occurs relatively frequently. Main reasons were dying patients and having to give bad news. Explicitly negative reactions are rare. Attitudes towards crying are generally tolerant, although physicians tend to be more restrictive/(reserved?).

Learning in groups: Teamshaping in the teaching of medical psychology.

OBJECTIVES: Although it is of growing importance in modern medicine, the ability to work in teams usually plays no explicit role in medical education. We compared the method of Teamshaping with 'traditional' teaching. DESIGN: Ninety-six students in 6 groups pursued a course in medical psychology with traditional teaching methods, while 46 students in 4 groups participated in Teamshaping. To evaluate the team approach, we used the Group Climate Questionnaire, Short Version (GCQ-S). SETTING: University of Vienna, Medical School. SUBJECTS: Third-year medical students. RESULTS: In terms of group climate both groups benefited from teaching, regardless of the method. Teamshaping, however, initially imposed a greater strain on the students than traditional teaching. This changed towards the end of the seminar. Teamshaping produced a stronger sense of commitment and a reduction of perceived conflicts. CONCLUSION: The model is recommended for teaching medical students because it not only extends traditional teaching towards small group learning but adds a competency in teamwork. It introduces students to a better working style and gives them an additional perspective for use in their future profession.

Teamshaping in medical teaching: changing groups to teams.

The ability to work in teams is stated increasingly often as a prerequisite in medical job descriptions. At the Institute of Medical Psychology, University of Vienna, a team development model (Teamshaping) that integrates self-reliance, the acquisition of knowledge and team sensitivity has been developed over the years. The model is recommended for teaching medical students because it not only expands the integrated approach to small-group learning but also includes competence for teamwork.