PIECES is a holistic, relationship focused approach to collaborative engagement, shared assessment and supportive care with older Persons at risk or living with complex chronic conditions and associated behavioural changes related to; neurocognitive disorders, mental health and substance use disorders, neurological conditions, and physical health conditions.

The PIECES Learning and Development Program is a dynamic and highly interactive learning experience that prepares Learners, across the continuum of care, to apply the PIECES approach in practice, working in full collaboration as a Team. This comprehensive two-day learning strategy develops the role of the PIECES practitioner to:

• guide a holistic Person and Care Partner centred Team approach
• support the well-being and health care of older individuals at risk or living with complexity
• support an evidence informed approach to shared assessment
• promote a collaborative process that is relationship focused

The Program focuses on the advancement of Core Competencies which are anchored in the PIECES Foundational Principles; Validating, Shared Solution Finding, Acting Together, Enhancing and Translating Knowledge.

PIECES learner eligibility

PIECES Learners must be health professionals with a responsibility and accountability to engage and guide the Team, beginning with the Person and Care Partner, in shared assessment and collaborative care planning. Clinical roles and scope of practice, include, but are not limited to:

• Knowledge, skills, and responsibility, to guide the Team’s clinical application of the PIECES 3-Question Template.
• Knowledge, skills, and responsibility in shared assessment and collaborative care planning including:
  ▪ Administration of clinical assessment tools (e.g. delirium assessment, cognitive screening, assessment for mood disorders, suicidality, substance use)
  ▪ Guiding the Team in the: selection and administration of the most appropriate clinical assessment tool(s), including behavioural assessment; collaboration to interpret the findings, and determine next steps; sharing of the findings including reporting and
  documentation.
  ▪ Guiding the Team in collaborative processes that integrate collective knowledge of the Team, beginning with the Person and Care Partner, into the care plan, and mobilize the care plan into action, monitor progress and evaluate effectiveness.

Not eligible: Try the U-First! Program

The PIECES approach is at the core of the U-First! Program (www.u-first.ca). Both learning programs focus on enhancing Team collaboration and supportive care with older Persons and their Care Partners. U-First! is recommended for PSWs and other Team members (e.g. Recreation aides, OT and PT assistants) working in shared support of the older Person living with complexity.

The Program comprehensive two-day learning strategy

Day 1: Core Curriculum to enhance learner's knowledge and skills to use the PIECES 3-Question Template in practice to guide an evidence-informed Team approach to Person and Care Partner centred collaborative assessment and shared care. 

Practical Application: Learners are required to complete a Practical Application of the learning in the workplace, in collaboration with the Team; typically 2 weeks are provided between Day 1 and Day 2.

Day 2: Core Curriculum builds on the learning from Day 1 and the Practical Application experience; providing additional clinical content to enhance knowledge and skills, with further opportunities for practice-based application; and exploring strategies for further mobilizing PIECES into practice at the individual and Team level, and in collaboration with senior leadership and other partners.