Music therapy promotes diversity and inclusivity within healthcare settings through unique service delivery methods (Ting et al., 2022), however some might question “is this music therapy?”. This presentation explores diverse applications of music therapy at The Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick, guided by an established models of care and therapeutic frameworks.

Drawing from our expertise across palliative care, mental health, NICU, and oncology, we aim to capture the voices of music therapists and students. The presentation highlights collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including physiotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, and psychologists, to enhance therapeutic outcomes by integrating music therapy into comprehensive care plans (Stouffer, Shirk, Polomano, 2007).

Fundamental to our work is recognising the diverse needs of our families and seeing the whole child is central to our practice (Bruscia, 2014). We tailor music therapy interventions to meet the specific needs and preferences of families from diverse cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. These include Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), refugee, Out of Home Care, and disability. Through collaborative goals, objectives, and ongoing communication, we empower families to actively participate in the therapeutic process, fostering a sense of ownership and agency (Bradt, 2012).

Interdisciplinary collaboration is vital to our approach, reflecting our values of collaboration and diversity. We work closely with allied health professionals from various disciplines, acknowledging each profession's unique contributions to the therapeutic process. Case studies highlight the efficacy of collaborative models of care, demonstrating the impact of music therapy on patient outcomes and well-being.

Furthermore, technology enhances therapeutic interventions by facilitating communication and engagement (Agres et al., 2021). Integrating AI applications and interactive modules strengthens the therapeutic alliance and extends the reach of music therapy beyond traditional boundaries (Sun, Yang, Zhou, Jin, Gong, 2024). This presentation aims to explore how AI has been used to strengthen our service delivery.

Within the hospital, music therapy interventions provide safe, cost-effective means (Johnson et al., 2021). Literature demonstrates that music therapy is a valuable nonpharmacological treatment approach (Stegemann, Geretsegger, Phan Quoc, Riedl, & Smetana, 2019). Furthermore, evidence also suggests that music therapy can reduce patient length of stay (Millett & Gooding, 2017).

Join us as we explore the intersection of diversity, innovation, and evidence-based practice in music therapy. Together, we will examine the role of music therapy models of care in promoting resilience and fostering holistic well-being in diverse patient populations and families.