Ettore's song: The hero who had the courage to fight Achilles

J Health Psychol. 2021 Jan;26(1):5-11. doi: 10.1177/1359105320968144. Epub 2020 Oct 26.

Abstract

End-of-life accompaniment requires even greater care of the patient and their family by the multi-disciplinary team, which requires a clear, wellorganized interdisciplinary and interprofessional approach. Musictherapy (MT) is often use as a complementary approach to improve a person's quality of life by helping to relieve symptoms, addressing psychological needs, offering support and comfort, facilitating communication, and meeting spiritual needs.Through songwriting, Ettore, a teenager was able to make choices and act on his own will. Songwriting represented a channel for effective and powerful communication and expression. The song became the means by which the relationship with the team was maintained and deepened; it became something tangible, a product with its own consistency, a further bond that unites Ettore to his family to this day.

Keywords: end of life; musictherapy; pediatric cancer; songwriting; supportive care.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Communication
  • Courage*
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life