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The purpose of this study is to examine the roles and functions of benefits counseling specialists. One-hundred and forty-eight benefits counseling specialists rated the Benefits Specialists Practice Inventory -Revised using a 5-point importance rating scale. Data were analyzed using multi-trait analysis. The multi-trait analysis tentatively supported the three-factor structure of the Benefits Specialists Practice Inventory -Revised, indicating that benefits screening (M = 4.43, SD = 0.47), benefits advisement (M = 4.49, SD = 0.56), and benefits management (M = 4.07, SD = 0.88) are most central to the job performance of benefits counseling specialists. In addition, benefits counseling specialists in the current study rated themselves as relatively well prepared to perform these benefits counseling job functions, with benefits advisement rated the highest (M = 4.23, SD = 0.76), followed by benefits screening (M = 4.15, SD = 0.70), and then by benefits management (M = 3.75, SD = 0.96). However, multi-trait analysis also suggested that there might be more than three essential job functions for benefits counseling specialists and more comprehensive research in the future is warranted.

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Background: Advanced practitioners (APs) are a growing demographic in survivorship care. One goal of survivorship care is to manage consequences of cancer treatments. Sexual dysfunction from prior therapies can impact quality of life. Advanced practitioners are perfectly poised to provide care for sexual problems. This article will describe the development and implementation of the Women’s Integrative Sexual Health (WISH) program by APs within a comprehensive cancer center and describe patient perspectives of care provided. Methods: Two physician assistants working in gynecologic oncology at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center implemented a program to address sexual side effects of cancer treatment. An online survey was sent out to all patients seen in the WISH program since inception. Results: Between November 2013 and July 2019, 228 patients were seen in the WISH program. A total of 113 women responded (median age: 53 years, range: 31–77; 68% postmenopausal; response rate: 53.8%). Most had breast (57%) or gynecologic (32%) cancers. When asked how helpful the WISH program was, 88% reported that it was at least somewhat helpful. Almost all (95%) reported they would recommend the WISH program to other women. Conclusion: The WISH program enhances comprehensive survivorship care of female cancer survivors. Women report they benefit from care for sexual issues after cancer treatments. Advanced practitioners working in oncology are uniquely positioned to educate themselves, take leadership roles in the development and implementation of programs, and provide care to women affected by sexual side effects after cancer.

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Although many people have symptoms of celiac disease, it can take a while to diagnose. Villous atrophy may be present long before any gastrointestinal symptoms. An important point to acknowledge is that celiac disease could be identified earlier in some women with a positive family history. The disease also could be the cause of some women's reproductive problems. Primary care providers, using comprehensive history taking, are in the unique position to identify individuals who may have celiac disease, assist women in gaining knowledge about a gluten-free diet, order diagnostic testing, and refer to a gastroenterologist. The positive change in fertility with a simultaneous improvement of nutrient deficiencies shortly after adopting a gluten-free diet indicates a possible link between such nutrients and sex hormone function. High levels of homocysteine, which can negatively impact fertility, have also been linked to individuals with problems, such as celiac disease, that decrease vitamin B12 absorption. The purpose of this article is to review the literature and the evidence-based care guidelines for comprehensive screening, diagnostics, and pathophysiology of celiac disease, with a specific focus on the female reproductive system, anemia management, and gluten-free diet integration.