doi: 10.1111/ijun.12154 RESEARCH PAPER Knowledge gaps in prostate cancer treatment between physicians and clinical nurse specialists Richard Gledhill , Paula Allchorne, James Green and Philip Cornford ABSTRACT Delphi consultations, a method of gaining consensus by gathering expert opinion, were conducted in order to understand the role of degarelix as a treatment option for advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer. During the Delphi consultations, differences were identified between physicians and clinical nurse specialists in terms of their knowledge of therapeutic developments. We argue that disparities in knowledge between physicians and nurse specialists could limit the effectiveness of multi-disciplinary teams in providing optimal patient care. When such situations arise, communication between patients and nurse specialists, often the patient’s primary point of contact, may conflict with information they have received from the physician. This could lead to confusion and uncertainty among patients about whether they are receiving the best possible care. Time and resources should be provided to address the continuing educational needs of nurses, which will ultimately result in the improved care and experience of patients. Key words: Clinical nurse specialist • Education • Patient-centred care • Professional development • Prostate cancer • Clinical decision making Continuing medical education and awareness of new developments is not merely an academic pursuit; it has an impact on patients being able to receive the most up-to-date care based on the latest evi- dence. Although this is true for all therapy areas, it is especially important in the treatment of patients with cancer, where algorithms can be very compli- cated and need to account for not only individual patient needs but also the changing behaviour of the cancer itself over time. While treatment guidelines are an important evidence-based resource to facili- tate good medical practice, the question of how effec- tively they address the treatment uncertainties inher- ent at an individual-patient level remains. This may be particularly relevant when the publication of updated guidelines occurs only infrequently. Authors: Richard Gledhill, Department of Urology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK; Paula Allchorne, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK; James Green, Department of Urology, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK; Department of Health and Social Care, London Southbank University, London, UK; Philip Cornford, Gow-Gibbon Department of Urology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital Trust, Liverpool, UK Address for correspondence: Mr Richard Gledhill, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospitals, Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK E-mail: richard.gledhill@uhb.nhs.uk Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) with the necessary knowledge, skills and experience are now integral to the care of cancer patients in the UK. Their aim is to provide the highest level of diagnosis, treatment and care, while considering the patient’s well-being as a whole, rather than purely focusing on the treat- ment of the cancer. Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) perform key roles within the MDT and are often the main point of contact for patients, with whom they discuss the risks and benefits of treatment options (Lamb et al., 2011). They are central to involving patients in informed, shared decision-making (Irvine and Chung, 2014). It is important, therefore, that physi- cians and nurses share sufficient knowledge to pro- vide patients with non-conflicting treatment options and information. Research was conducted using two separate Delphi consultations – one directed at physicians and the other at nurses – to gather expert opinion on the role of degarelix , a gonadotrophin-releasing hor- mone antagonist in the management of advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer (Ferring UK, 2015, 2016). This research technique was used, as it provides a method of gaining consensus by gathering expert opinion using a form of controlled feedback to resolve complex problems in a manner that limits bias and the overburdening influence of particular experts. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. and BAUN Int J of Urol Nurs 2017 1