Work 40 (2011) 269–280 269 DOI 10.3233/WOR-2011-1230 IOS Press The lived experience of working as a musician with an injury Christine Guptill Assistant Professor, Don Wright Faculty of Music, the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada Post-doctoral Fellow, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Hand & Upper Limb Clinical Research Lab, St. Joseph’s Healthcare London, Ontario, Canada E-mail: Christine
[email protected] Received 1 May 2010 Accepted 26 November 2010 Abstract. Objective: Research and clinical experience have shown that musicians are at risk of acquiring playing-related injuries. This paper explores findings from a qualitative research study examining the lived experience of professional instrumental musicians with playing-related injuries, which has thus far been missing from the performing arts health literature. Methodology: This study employed a phenomenological methodology influenced by van Manen to examine the lived experiences of professional musicians with playing-related injuries. Participants and Methods: Ten professional musicians in Ontario, Canada were interviewed about their experiences as musicians with playing-related injuries. Six of the participants later attended a focus group where preliminary findings were presented. Results:Thefindings demonstrate a need for education about risk and prevention of injuries that could be satisfied by healthcare professionals and music educators. Conclusions: The practice and training of healthcare professionals should