FAQ

How did I get here?

Perhaps you were directed to this page by a colleague or a friend in the touring sector of the music industry. Or perhaps you accessed this link via a blog post or online article. Either way, we’re glad you’re here. And you’re now a part of a community of touring professionals (artists and crew members) attempting to take a leap together in the betterment of the touring experience. Which we know, can be as challenging as it is rewarding.

What is the Tour Health Research Initiative?

The Tour Health Research Initiative is a comprehensive scientific study of health and mental health among touring professionals. In recent years, health and mental health issues in the music industry, and especially in the touring sector, have become a well-publicized topic. It has been addressed in panels at conferences, in industry magazine articles, and in countless blogs and posts on social media.

There is considerable value in calling attention to the health and mental health issues facing touring personnel and in the creation of an ongoing, open dialogue about how to make touring more sustainable from a health and mental health perspective.

Currently, however, most of the solutions offered are anecdotal—based on the experience and opinions of a few individuals, rather than based on a comprehensive understanding of the issues and an examination of the gold-standard approaches to best address those issues.

We believe that the foundation of all effective change and health improvement is scientific research and a data-driven approach, allowing for the development of strategies that are proven-to-work, replicable, and measurable.

What is the Touring Health & Wellness Survey?

The Touring Health & Wellness Survey is the first phase of the Tour Health Research Initiative. It is an attempt to gather and analyze detailed information about the nuances of what impacts the health and mental health of touring professionals. The better we can understand the relevant issues scientifically, the better we can find strategies to improve them.

This survey has been IRB approved to ensure that all research is conducted in an ethically and scientifically appropriate manner. As touring professionals ourselves, we know that maintaining privacy is important, which is why all data is collected without your identifying information.

Who are we?

The Tour Health Research Initiative was launched by a very small team of psychologists, researchers, and touring professionals who work closely with and care deeply about the well-being of touring personnel. We are committed to the development of scientific, evidence-based strategies to improve the health and mental health of touring artists and crew members. Each of us in our own way has been a part of the touring world, each of us has seen its great moments and its difficult or even tragic moments. We hope that the Tour Health Research Initiative will, in the long run, help reduce the number of difficult or tragic moments and will allow us to give back to the touring world that has given so much to us.

Is this survey for me?

The survey is open to all touring professionals—artists and crew members—who are above the age of 18 and are comfortable with the English language.

How long is the survey?

The entire survey is 239 questions, mostly multiple choice, and is estimated to take approximately 30–45 minutes to complete. It does not need to be completed in one sitting; you can come back to the link and finish the survey over a couple of days. The survey can be completed on your computer, iPad, or smartphone.

When do I have to complete the survey by?

The 2020 Survey has completed collection

Why should I fill out the survey?

We know how busy you are as a touring professional. We’ve been there. Which is why we appreciate you giving of your time to fill out the questions and share your experience. By contributing your responses, you’ll be potentially helping thousands of other touring professionals, and maybe even yourself, in two significant ways. First, the collected data will be analyzed and used to develop programs and encourage policies that better support the health and mental health of touring professionals, thus making your and your colleagues lives better in the long run. Additionally, we hope that responding to the questions will help you think about your personal touring experience and what you can do to better care for your health and mental health on the road.

Where can I find out the results of the survey?

We’re working to publish the survey’s findings, in scientific journals, in easily-accessible publications, and online, including this website tourhealth.org. If you have further questions, please contact us via the Contact page on the website.