By Catherine Nielsen, MT-BC
Background:
Dr. Compton is a retired family practice doctor with a certificate in geriatrics. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology at Berea College, and attended medical school at the University of Virginia. Dr. Compton worked for over 30 years at Berea Hospital in Berea, KY as a family doctor seeing patients from age birth to 100+ with all types of medical needs. Dr. Compton is a musician himself, and a supporter of music therapy.
One of Dr. Compton’s five children, Catherine Nielsen, MT-BC, is the founder of The Palm Beach Music Therapy Institute. At a team meeting in early 2015, PBMTI staff members asked Dr. Compton relevant questions about the client populations that we work with in music therapy. In our interview below, see the answers to our questions, and advice from Dr. Compton on how to advance our field in medical settings.
Q&A
Q: What would you say is the biggest need for a patient with Alzheimer’s?
A: I have found the biggest need for Alzheimer’s patients is an integrative approach. This is where I could see music therapy being helpful in treatment. When I see a patient with Alzheimer’s, first, I have to look at medications, and be good at listening to the patient. “If you listen to a patient long enough, they will tell you what’s wrong with them.” is one of the bedside manner tipsI learned in med school. Also, interaction with family is important.
Q: What are the causes and needs for addiction clients?
A: First, it is important to understand it is a psycho-biologic illness. Environmental factors, family situations, genetics, and social settings all contribute. Addiction clients need a multi-faceted approach including detoxification, counseling, and group support, often a twelve step program. Other methodologies, such as music therapy, can be beneficial throughout the process of recovery, particularly for relaxation during a stressful time.
Q: How can you tell if an elderly client has been a victim of abuse?
A: Talk to other team members and family members. Look at the whole person – how are they different physically/mentally than the last time you saw them? Some red flags would include agitation, depression, withdrawal, or evidence of physical neglect such as malnutrition or bed sores.
Q: Can you share an example of when music was important to a patient’s treatment?
A: I was treating a patient with cancer, and she was at the end of life. In her last days of life, I feel the single most important thing I did for her was sing a hymn that was meaningful to her at her bedside. She looked so peaceful. Her family never forgot that. Years later they still come up to me and tell me how much that meant to them.
Q: What would you say to medical professionals who are considering a music therapy program in their hospital or facility?
A: Personally I think it should be part of an overall integrative process. Besides PT, OT, and pharmacology, I think we need music therapy. People connect with music and songs, often even subconsciously. Music is something they remember, has a calming effect, can help with re-orienting, has no side effects, and I think it makes the staff happier too!
Q: What research on MT would be most interesting to you to see if you were considering MT?
A: Find studies that show the effects of music therapy in a functional MRI. With this scan you can show an increase of brain activity in frontal cortex related to mood and personality. You could also show music therapy decreasing aggression, increasing relaxation neurologically – that would be valuable.
Q: How do you see MT being most effective in healthcare?
A: When I was in medical school, we never heard of music therapy as part of our training. I see the biggest need being education to the medical community. If MT professionals can offer education in medical schools, develop advocacy programs, offer service pro-bono for exposure, and co-treatment with medical students, these are all ways to increase awareness of the field. I would say communication, and get involved in medical education.