Gatekeeping Practices of Music Therapy Academic Programs and Internships: A National Survey
Poster Number
18
Introduction/Abstract
Gatekeeping safeguards access to the practice of a profession to ensure the quality of clinical services. It involves selective admission, continuous evaluation, and timely and ethical decisions in response to trainees with severe professional competency problems (SPCP). To date, little information is available concerning gatekeeping practices in the field of music therapy.
Purpose
This study investigated the extent and outcomes of gatekeeping practices across academic programs and National Roster internship sites approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Specifically, it examined the prevalence of trainees with SPCP, program-wide precautionary measures, common indicators of trainees with SPCP, remedial strategies, and supports and barriers to effective management.
Method
Participants included all AMTA academic program directors and internship directors. Contact was made through an invitation e-mail with a hyperlink to an online survey consisting of check-lists, dichotomy choices, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended questions. Responses were compiled into aggregate form (frequencies & percentages) for analysis. Chi-square tests with Yates’ correction were applied to compare the differences between academic programs and internships.
Results
Thirty-two academic program directors (response rate = 46.0%) and 77 internship directors (response rate = 48.12%) completed the survey. A significantly higher percentage of academic programs (93.8%) reported having at least one trainee with SPCP over the past 5 years than did internships (66.2%). The most common indicators of competency problems included inadequate music skill development, emotional instability, limited communication skills, deficient interpersonal skills, defensiveness in supervision, and lack of insight. Typical remedial methods included referral to personal therapy, increased supervision, and repetition of practicum or extension of internship.
Significance
Issues regarding trainees with SPCP are frequently addressed by academic and internship program directors. Improving clarity within the professional guidelines, establishing more rigorous and consistent standards across all training programs, and developing standardized protocol for managing trainees with SPCP are recommended.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Stockton campus, University of the Pacific
Format
Poster Presentation
Gatekeeping Practices of Music Therapy Academic Programs and Internships: A National Survey
DeRosa University Center, Stockton campus, University of the Pacific
Gatekeeping safeguards access to the practice of a profession to ensure the quality of clinical services. It involves selective admission, continuous evaluation, and timely and ethical decisions in response to trainees with severe professional competency problems (SPCP). To date, little information is available concerning gatekeeping practices in the field of music therapy.
