I have observed that within the context of music therapy, there are many misconceptions about ‘evidence’, and ‘evidence-based practice’ (especially in cases were the concepts related to ‘evidence-based practice’ are discussed interchangeably with those reflected in ‘evidence-based medicine’ and/or ‘evidence-based treatment’). This is partly confounded by the fact that there is no generally accepted definition of evidence-based practice as is specifically pertains to music therapy.
After much research and many bottles of Excedrin lol, I have found that the most practical definition of evidence-based practice within a music therapy context involves practice that includes the following characteristics:
1. A recognizable system of expertise sharing (specifically with regard to theoretical foundations, research outcomes, and clinical practice habits).
2. Regular utilization of research-informed clinical practice (meaning that scholarly research is frequently produced, reviewed by practitioners, and incorporated into practice as appropriate); This requires a conscious effort to consider the best existing research when making/implementing clinical decisions - but research should be utilized to inform clinical judgment without replacing that clinical judgment (…Such research can be ranked according to relevant evidence hierarchies like the one described by Carter & Wallace in 2008).
3. Regular, systematic examination/evaluation of therapeutic outcomes in relation to intervention (in terms of effectiveness); Methodology/outcomes involved in such evaluations/examinations often come to serve as contributions to the music therapy research or evidence base.
As a point of further clarification: Evidence-based practice is not just about research and evidence. It doesn’t describe our discipline (or our journals). It instead describes our actions. Contrary to common belief, evidence-based practice is an approach…not a specific collection of interventions.
Evidence-based practice is something that we music therapists must actively participate in, even if that participation starts with a simple grassroots effort like maintaining a blog where expertise, interpretations of research, and/or foundations & principles are discussed. In fact, if you are a music therapist who has read this article, you are engaging in evidence-based practice! High-five for expertise sharing! Hurray for you!
Feel free to write with any comments or questions, everyone :O)
Until next time,
Ms. Terel Jackson, MMT, NMT, MT-BC