Music and Medicine extracurricular suggestions

[LACMA]

Hello! I love music and I want to be a physician. I was wondering if there are any activities that you could recommend to me that involve the two. I volunteer at a nursing home and play piano for them, but I want something a little more involved. Do you have any suggestions?

Also, what kinds of specialties are there that bring music and medicine together? Just looking for ideas to expand my scope of knowledge and things I could do during my gap year. Thanks!

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[lickerwhicker]

What year are you? I am also a musician who wants to be a physician. I've done a lot of music therapy stuff during my undergrad career.

You could do songwriting or music stuff for kids with disabilities? Or maybe being a camp counselor for kids with long-term illnesses and incorporating music into the camp activities?

 

[LACMA]

What year are you? I am also a musician who wants to be a physician. I've done a lot of music therapy stuff during my undergrad career.

You could do songwriting or music stuff for kids with disabilities? Or maybe being a camp counselor for kids with long-term illnesses and incorporating music into the camp activities?

Thanks for the reply! I recently graduated with my bachelor's degree. I'm taking a year or two off before I apply. What kinds of specialties can incorporate music? Neurology and psychiatry come to mind, but anything else? What kinds of music therapy stuff have you done?

 

[ciestar]

It may not involve medicine, but maybe music lessons to underserved kids might be an idea. Nonclinical volunteering is more paramount than you would think and I feel you would get a lot out of it and it would look excellent on an application.

 

[lickerwhicker]

Thanks for the reply! I recently graduated with my bachelor's degree. I'm taking a year or two off before I apply. What kinds of specialties can incorporate music? Neurology and psychiatry come to mind, but anything else? What kinds of music therapy stuff have you done?

I've provided music therapy services to nursing home patients and young children with disabilities. Rather than just playing music, we incorporate therapeutic techniques in our performances. I agree with what ciestar said about teaching music to underserved kids. Becoming involved in performing arts groups is also a good idea.

 

[LACMA]

I've provided music therapy services to nursing home patients and young children with disabilities. Rather than just playing music, we incorporate therapeutic techniques in our performances. I agree with what ciestar said about teaching music to underserved kids. Becoming involved in performing arts groups is also a good idea.

Thank you both so much! I will look into it. 🙂

 

[Goro]

Hello! I love music and I want to be a physician. I was wondering if there are any activities that you could recommend to me that involve the two. I volunteer at a nursing home and play piano for them, but I want something a little more involved. Do you have any suggestions?

Also, what kinds of specialties are there that bring music and medicine together? Just looking for ideas to expand my scope of knowledge and things I could do during my gap year. Thanks!

Play and/or give lessons for sick kids in hospitals or their camps.
Music therapy for the mentally ill.

 

[Catalystik]

what kinds of specialties are there that bring music and medicine together? Just looking for ideas to expand my scope of knowledge and things I could do during my gap year.

Geriatrics. Neurology. Psychiatry.

Perhaps you are familiar with the research that demonstrates preservation of mentation in older folks when exposed to music or given music education?

 

[educ8r]

Also, what kinds of specialties are there that bring music and medicine together?

I would add otolaryngology. For several reasons, one of which is research into music perception and appreciation in cochlear implantees and others with hearing loss. Also, consider the possibility of treating performing artists. There are several clinics which are devoted to performing artists, which often include PM&R, ortho, otolaryngology, and sometimes IM/FM, rheumatology, psychiatry, and/or neurology.

 

[Doctor-S]

At my AMC, we have a program in which volunteer-musicians play music in some clinics, as well as in the hospital. It has been very successful.

You can check around to find out if any medical centers near you offer the same type of opportunity.

 

[mvenus929]

We have a musical therapist who comes through the NICU to play music for the babies. It helps them calm down and grow.