Addressing Issues of Ethnicity and Identity in Palliative Care Through Music Therapy Practice‪.‬

Abstract In preparing for their death, patients with terminal illnesses may express a need to explore and confirm their identity in terms o f their familial, social, cultural and ethnic heritage. This article examines the mechanisms which underlie the construction of individual and basic group identity, the latter o f which is also referred to as ethnicity. The maintenance and evolution of identity over time and across different places is explored, and the use of music as a means to construct, express and sustain identity discussed. finally, the role of music therapy, and specifically the use of music-facilitated life-review in addressing issues o f ethnicity and identity in palliative care is explored through the case study of 'Gretel, an Australian woman o f Russian descent who was diagnosed with a terminal illness.