BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR PERFORMING ARTS MEDICINe

Join our Directory

Applying to Join the BAPAM Directory

The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) is the largest provider of clinical services to the whole UK performing arts sector. Our Directory lists skilled health professionals who are experienced supporting individuals in the creative industry, and who provide high quality and accessible care. We also include some clinically-led professional practices, partnerships and companies (please email directory@bapam.org.uk for more information about company/practice listings).

The BAPAM Directory provides an opportunity for practitioners to contribute their expertise and develop their experience in this increasingly established speciality.

BAPAM is a medical organisation. Our Directory focuses on clinical professions and has a formal application process. Where we include allied healthcare practitioners, we normally require a degree level or equivalent qualification and regulation of the practice by an accredited body. We also consider the evidence base for the practice’s efficacy in supporting performing arts clients. We recognise that many people find a range of other approaches helpful and we publish advice about this here.

There is no charge to join the Directory. BAPAM is a charity and we depend on the support of our practitioner community. We ask that those listed in our Directory please consider offering a reduced private fee for BAPAM registered patients and clients. We are also extremely grateful for donations, fundraisers and other support.

BAPAM’s in-house clinical team: In our own clinics, BAPAM Assessing Clinicians provide free medical assessments for performing arts professionals and students with health problems related to their work. If you are a doctor, physiotherapist, osteopath or clinical or counselling psychologist interested in working with us as a BAPAM Assessing Clinician, and have not already discussed this with us, please get in touch.

You can read detailed practical information about being listed in the BAPAM Directory, and how the Directory is used here: BAPAM Directory Practical Information

You can access the online Directory yourself here: Browse the BAPAM Directory of Practitioners

BEFORE APPLYING: Ensure your profession is listed here and that you meet the requirements: Professions listed in the BAPAM Directory and qualification, accreditation and registration requirements

Minimum experience level

As Performing Arts Medicine has developed considerably as a specialty, BAPAM is working towards adopting a tiered listing system that acknowledges practitioners’ differing skill and experience levels. We aim to recognise those who have contributed to the field for many years, while welcoming practitioners who are building skills at an earlier stage of their career.

Prior experience relevant to supporting performing arts workers is essential. As a guide, BAPAM requires applicants to have accrued a minimum of 100 hours of practice specifically with patients/clients who work in the performing arts, in addition to the appropriate level of experience and training in working with patients/clients in wider contexts. This practice should take place in a setting in which practitioners take part in regular supervision, case discussion (in an MDT if relevant), peer support, and training. Practitioners should have a clear awareness of the scope of their own role, and when to refer to specialist colleagues.

Where practitioners have a background of 5 years or more personal experience of working in the performing arts, we may also take this into account in assessing their understanding of the needs of BAPAM’s service users.

Speech and Language Therapists who treat performers will need to have gained at least 3 years’ experience working with singers, actors and professional voice users.

Commitment to performing arts medicine

Applicants should demonstrate that they have committed time to the development of the performing arts medicine specialty in the same way as outlined in the Health Education England paper commitment_to_speciality.pdf. In addition to CPD and training, this might include research, presenting at conferences, writing guidance etc.