Are we achieving occupation-focused practice?

In 2012, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) accredited the College of Occupational Therapists (COT) practice guideline, Occupational therapists’ use of occupation-focused practice in secure hospitals (COT 2012). This practice guideline evaluated the evidence base available to therapists working within secure (that is, locked) adult mental health settings. However, the guideline affirms that occupation-focused practice is pertinent to all of our work, whether based within secure settings or not. The themes identified have much to offer occupational therapists in all areas of practice and research, with realistic recommendations such as understanding and considering the impact of the environment and time, working with service users, and the need to increase our evidence base.