BIROn - Birkbeck Institutional Research Online

    Health education for musicians in the UK: a qualitative evaluation

    Matei, Raluca and Ginsborg, J. (2022) Health education for musicians in the UK: a qualitative evaluation. Health Promotion International 37 (2), daab146. ISSN 0957-4824.

    [img]
    Preview
    Text
    46205.pdf - Author's Accepted Manuscript

    Download (284kB) | Preview

    Abstract

    Musical training in higher education music institutions (e.g. conservatoires) has been associated with health-related issues among musicians. The Health Promotion in Schools of Music project in the USA and the Healthy Conservatoires project in the UK have therefore recommended health promotion at conservatoires. Few health education courses have been evaluated to date, however. A 5-month health education programme for first-year undergraduate students at a British conservatoire was introduced as part of the core curriculum in September 2016. The programme, which involved both lectures and seminars, was evaluated using quantitative and qualitative approaches. This article reports only the qualitative evaluation. Twenty semi-structured individual interviews were conducted either face-to-face or via Skype in April 2017. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Five themes were identified: (i) the programme as a catalyst for engagement with health; (ii) behavioural changes; (iii) barriers to engaging with the programme material and initiating changes; (iv) suggestions for improvement; and (v) misinformation. Generally, participants viewed the programme as relevant and informative, particularly appreciating the intimate nature of the seminars. They reported that the programme helped them take a broader perspective on musicianship and that they would welcome sessions that are more practical than theoretical. They also reported instances of change in their behaviours relating to both lifestyle and management of music practice. In conclusion, undergraduate music students viewed this health education programme positively. Their feedback illustrates the complex nature of health promotion in the conservatoire setting.

    Metadata

    Item Type: Article
    Keyword(s) / Subject(s): health promotion, music students, programme evaluation, behaviour change
    School: Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Business and Law > Birkbeck Business School
    Depositing User: Raluca Matei
    Date Deposited: 06 Oct 2021 14:49
    Last Modified: 02 Aug 2023 18:13
    URI: https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/46205

    Statistics

    Activity Overview
    6 month trend
    371Downloads
    6 month trend
    159Hits

    Additional statistics are available via IRStats2.

    Archive Staff Only (login required)

    Edit/View Item
    Edit/View Item