Performing Arts Medicine and Voice Medicine for Singing and Theater Teachers

Performing Arts Medicine requires an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and performance recovery of artists. Drawing on twenty years of Italian experience, this paper presents an educational and clinical model developed through the Italian Interdisciplinary Center for Performing Arts Medicine and at least two key Italian University projects. Particular attention is given to the role of singing and theater teachers, who should be integrated into the healthcare team as co-therapeutic professionals, while remaining within clearly defined ethical and legal boundaries. Because vocal function and its artistry depend on the entire body rather than on the larynx alone, teachers should receive basic training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, ergonomics, and voice assessment. Their role is not to diagnose, but to recognize significant changes in a student’s voice, posture, or performance and to communicate effectively with physicians, speech therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and other specialists. The proposed model consists of four phases: cognitive screening and initial assessment; medical diagnosis; co-rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation; and re-athleticization, i.e. the gradual return to professional performance. Tools such as Praat, VoxPlot, and VRRRP may support non-diagnostic observation when used by appropriately trained teachers. The inclusion of specialized artistic teachers can facilitate communication, shorten rehabilitation, reduce costs, and promote a more individualized recovery. However, professional boundaries, inadequate training, conflicts of authority, celebrity culture, and difficulties in coordinating geographically dispersed teams remain significant challenges. Effective Performing Arts Medicine therefore depends on shared education, mutual respect, clear responsibilities, and continuous communication among artists, teachers, doctors and healthcare professionals.