5 Lessons I Have Learned from 3 Years with the International Association for Music and Medicine

Introduction

LinkedIn recently reminded me that it has been three years since I started my term on the Executive Committee of the International Association for Music and Medicine as Chair of Communications and Outreach.

For those of you know this organization, the International Association for Music & Medicine is a registered non-profit organization formed in 2009 to encourage and support the use of music in medical contexts including research into the benefits of music, and its specialized applications in healthcare.

In my work with the IAMM I have been able to learn so much about the field, connect with experts from around the world, and put my professional skills in the fields of digital communications and marketing in service of something bigger than myself.

Here are 5 lessons I have learned from the last 3 years at the IAMM:

1. There are new possibilities for inclusion in music therapy and music medicine despite continuing challenges.
2. The USA and the English language are still dominant in the organization and the field but there is increasing representation.
3. Sometimes we do the same thing but call it differently and sometimes we do different things and call it the same.
4. There is a huge need and potential for content in music therapy and music and medicine.
5. The organization is growing and there is so much more potential.

There are new possibilities for inclusion in music therapy and music medicine despite continuing challenges.

In the past three years, at the IAMM we have made an effort to expand our outreach and create more inclusive communications and events. We started a blog, re-designed our website, introduced website translations in Spanish, Chinese, German, and Greek, and planned a myriad of events.

This has resulted in a wider range of topics being discussed, attracting more speakers and attendees from diverse backgrounds.

While challenges remain, such as the cost of attendance for international events and language barriers for non-English speakers, the IAMM continues to work towards making its events and content more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

The USA and the English language are still dominant in the organization and the field but there is increasing representation.

While the US and English-speaking countries still have a dominant presence within the IAMM, there has been a noticeable increase in representation from other regions and languages. This has led to more diverse perspectives and discussions within the organization.

Just as an example, our latest event had participants from Finland, the USA, Egypt, Germany, Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Wales, Spain, the UK, China, Brazil, Greece, and Uruguay.

We also recently had a virtual event that highlighted the work being done in Southeast Asia. These two events show that we are moving in the right direction!

Sometimes we do the same thing and call it differently and sometimes we do different things and call it the same.

There are obvious (and not so obvious) cultural differences in how music is used in medicine, healthcare, and well-being.

One of my favorite terms from the events we have organized is the term “uncontrolled equivocation,” used by Dr. Sebastian Hachmeyer to talk about the ‘communicative disjuncture where interlocutors are not talking about the same thing’.

He used this concept to point out how the word “music therapy” is used in the Bolivian Andes in traditional practices, while it most commonly refers in other circles to the profession most of us would know about.

I have learned to be aware of these differences and to work towards a better understanding of the diverse approaches to music and medicine. Pointing fingers and attacking others is never productive. I am happy to say that the general attitude at our events over the last 3 years has been one of dialogue with our presenters and attendees.

We need to keep working towards being inclusive and at the same time, being open to dialogue and humble enough to realize when we might have to think about things differently.

There is a huge need and potential for content in music therapy and music and medicine.

The IAMM’s journal and blog provide valuable resources for members and non-members alike. They offer opportunities for experts in the field to share their research and experiences, and for members to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in music and medicine. At the IAMM we also place a strong emphasis on the quality of our content and the accuracy of the information we provide.

We are barely scratching the surface of what is possible in terms of content for music therapy and music and medicine. I am excited for future ways in which we will continue to create and share content, highlighting diverse authors, researchers, professionals, and clinicians.

There are countless areas for exploration and research, and the IAMM is always looking for new voices and perspectives to add to the conversation.

I welcome you to reach out to me if you want to explore sharing your content with us!

The organization is growing and there is so much more potential.

The IAMM has come a long way since its founding in 2009. The organization is constantly striving to increase its membership and reach more people in the field of music and medicine.

In the past three years, the organization has almost doubled and now has close to 600 members. We also have a list with over 2000 contacts.

There is still enormous potential for the organization to continue to thrive and expand.

One area of growth that I am particularly excited about is the expansion of our online presence. With the pandemic, we have been forced to move our events online, which has allowed us to reach a wider audience than ever before.

We will continue working in our online presence and I am looking forward to a time when we can welcome our 10,000th or even 50,000th member.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my time with the International Association for Music and Medicine has been incredibly rewarding and has taught me many valuable lessons. I have learned about the importance of inclusivity and the challenges that come with it, as well as so much about music therapy and music and medicine.

I have also seen the benefits of a strong online presence through IAMM’s website and quality content. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and learn in this field and look forward to continued growth and progress during the rest of my term.