Interdisciplinary Collaboration Between Music Therapy and Medical Ethnomusicology And the Perceived Impact on Individuals Recovering From Traumatic Brain Injuries Sidney Johnson, Junior SMT, Georgia College & State University [email protected]

Interdisciplinary collaboration between music therapy and medical ethnomusicology presents a plethora of positive effects and benefits. By utilizing, fusing, and expanding various music therapy and medical ethnomusicology techniques, music therapists, medical ethnomusicologists, and clients alike will gain and benefit from such interaction, cooperation, and synergy between the two healthcare fields. Positive effects and benefits may be evident in the likely shorter rehabilitation time of individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries, and could allow music therapists and medical ethnomusicologists to simultaneously expand their range of therapeutic techniques and interventions for all populations. The research study’s objective is to explore the perceived impact of interdisciplinary collaboration for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, to document the collaborative experiences between music therapists and medical ethnomusicologists, and to bring awareness to the beneficial possibilities of future interdisciplinary collaboration. The first research question explores the perceived impact of interdisciplinary collaboration between music therapy and medical ethnomusicology for individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries. Likewise, the second research question discusses the collaborative experiences between music therapists and medical ethnomusicologists while working with individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries. To briefly discuss the research techniques and methodology, the research study utilizes qualitative methods and is a qualitative ethnographic study. This study will be conducted at a music therapy clinic in Spain and will continue for a duration of six to eight weeks abroad. For the purpose of collecting interdisciplinary collaboration data, the clinic must be willing to allow medical ethnomusicologists to work alongside their music therapists who are treating individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, one of the more time-consuming, rigorous research methods of the study includes recording data about the personal experiences of interdisciplinary collaboration from music therapists, medical ethnomusicologists, and participants recovering from traumatic brain injuries. To conclude, the ongoing health and well- being promotion facilitated through interdisciplinary collaboration between music therapy and medical ethnomusicology provides unique and innovative advancements to all music therapy clinical practices. Awareness of the field and strategies of medical ethnomusicologists will open new treatment options and plans for addressing a client’s therapeutic goal, while simultaneously magnifying their strengths. Numerous benefits may be achieved overall through focused interdisciplinary collaboration between the two healthcare fields, creating an excellent environment of health musicking strived for and cultivated in all music therapy sessions.