Medical Music Therapy Knowledge among Medical Students of Jimma University, Ethiopia

Kumera Negash Amente

Abstract

The use of music therapy as an adjunct medical treatment option is well established. However, there is no evidence on the knowledge of music therapy among medical practitioner in Ethiopia. Hence, this institutional based crosssectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices of Jimma University medical students on music therapy as an adjunct medical treatment option. A total of 349 medical students were involved in the study. More than half (51%) of the medical students had heard about the music therapy. However, majority (56.7%) of the medical students had lower mean knowledge (low knowledge) on the application of music therapy in specific medical condition and quality of life. The major source of information is internet. There is also higher interest (83.4%) on music therapy training and education among the study participants. Majority (75.4%) of the medical students were show interest in referring patients to a music therapy. The mean knowledge of the medical students was significantly associated to age, ethnicity and level education in medical school. Therefore, effort should be done to in cooperate the music therapy in formal curriculum of medical education and also continues professional development program is need for medical practitioners to ensure the integration of music therapy program on medical system in the country