Triage for Musicians: Development of a Health Advisory Pathway Model to Facilitate the Management of Musicians’ Performance Health Issues

Music students are at high risk of sustaining music performance health issues (MPHIs) during their training and thereafter but are not necessarily prepared adequately for the physical and psychological demands of performance careers. MPHIs can be managed comparatively easily if early warning signs are recognised but students are often unaware of both risk factors and their indicators. In consultation with stakeholders, we aimed to develop and implement a simple triage or health advisory pathway (HAP) model in the form of a poster to help students and teachers identify appropriate courses of action for a range of common MPHIs. We used formative and process evaluation methods and modified the model, informed by practice and research, based on constructive feedback. Participants were 10 music (instrumental/vocal) teachers and eight non-music teachers (academic/support staff) at a tertiary-level music conservatoire. Most engaged with the evaluation process and strongly endorsed the final version of the model and its display and use. Those who were least likely to engage fully were workplace health and safety staff and administrative support personnel; it will be crucial to overcome this challenge in future, for the sake of the music profession and all those who benefit from it.