Cathy S. Berkman

Bio: Cathy S. Berkman is an academic researcher from Fordham University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Health care & Advance care planning. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 7 publications receiving 148 citations.

Advance directives among Korean American older adults: knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.

Abstract: The study objective was to explore knowledge, attitudes, and behavior about advance directives and how cultural values influence these beliefs Three focus groups with 23 Korean American older adults were conducted Advance directives were seen as helpful for ensuring that preferences for unwanted end-of-life treatment are honored and for relieving the decision-making burden on family members However, some viewed completing advance directives as contrary to focusing on living Culturally competent education about advance directives for Korean American older adults is necessary to help them make informed decisions about end-of-life care and informing family and health care providers of these preferences

The Relationship Between Health Information Sources and Mental Models of Cancer: Findings from the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey

Abstract: This study used data from the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey, a national sample of U.S. households (N = 5,586), to (1) explore the extent to which specific sources of health information are associated with certain beliefs about cancer; and (2) examine whether the relationship between health information sources and beliefs about cancer is moderated by psychological distress. Health information on the local news was associated with greater ambiguity about cancer prevention recommendations (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.02–1.46, p < .05), while less ambiguity was associated with cancer-specific information (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.69–0.94, p < .05), health information in the newspaper (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69–0.97, p < .05), and health information on the Internet (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.61–0.84, p < .001). Health information on the local news was also associated with lower likelihood of higher perceived relative risk of cancer (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.52–0.86, p < .01). No source of information was associated with the belie...

Role of children in end-of-life treatment planning among Korean American older adults.

Abstract: Three focus groups (n = 23) with Korean American older adults explored the role of culture in end-of-life decision making. No participants had completed an advance directive and few had discussed end-of-life treatment preferences. Focus group themes addressed: (a) whether children are resistant or receptive to discussing their parents' end-of-life treatment preferences; (b) whether the older adults or their children should make decisions about end-of-life treatment; (c) whether decision making should be the responsibility of the eldest son or of all the children; and (d) whether children would implement the parent's preferences for end-of-life treatment. Understanding the role of children in end-of-life decision making among Korean American older adults is important for culturally competent care.

What and when Korean American older adults want to know about serious illness.

Abstract: The aim of this exploratory study was to describe disclosure preferences about serious illness among Korean American older adults. Three focus groups (N = 6, 8, and 9) were conducted with Korean Americans age 65+ from two senior centers and a primary care practice in NYC. Six themes were identified: (1) Disclosure allows patients to make decisions and preparations, (2) Disclosure may cause emotional distress and hasten death, (3) Disclosure may be based on physician error or inability to know prognosis, (4) Disclosure should be based on severity of illness and the need to maintain hope, (5) Disclosure should be based on age, and (6) Disclosure practices of physicians vary by culture. Providing culturally competent care to East Asian older adults requires understanding the importance of family values and traditions, but not making assumptions about the degree to which the patient adheres to these beliefs.

Self-Determination vs. Family-Determination: Two Incommensurable Principles of Autonomy: A Report From East Asia

Abstract: Most contemporary bioethicists believe that Western bioethical principles, such as the principle of autonomy, are universally binding wherever bioethics is found. According to these bioethicists, these principles may be subject to culturally-conditioned further interpretations for their application in different nations or regions, but an 'abstract content' of each principle remains unchanged, which provides 'an objective basis for moral judgment and international law'. This essay intends to demonstrate that this is not the case. Taking the principle of autonomy as an example, this essay argues that there is no such shared 'abstract content' between the Western bioethical principle of autonomy and the East Asian bioethical principle of autonomy. Other things being equal, the Western principle of autonomy demands self-determination, assumes a subjective conception of the good and promotes the value of individual independence, whilst the East Asian principle of autonomy requires family-determination, presupposes an objective conception of the good and upholds the value of harmonious dependence. They differ from each other in the most general sense and basic moral requirement.

Consumer Evaluation of the Quality of Online Health Information: Systematic Literature Review of Relevant Criteria and Indicators

Abstract: Background: As the quality of online health information remains questionable, there is a pressing need to understand how consumers evaluate this information. Past reviews identified content-, source-, and individual-related factors that influence consumer judgment in this area. However, systematic knowledge concerning the evaluation process, that is, why and how these factors influence the evaluation behavior, is lacking. Objective: This review aims (1) to identify criteria (rules that reflect notions of value and worth) that consumers use to evaluate the quality of online health information and the indicators (properties of information objects to which criteria are applied to form judgments) they use to support the evaluation in order to achieve a better understanding of the process of information quality evaluation and (2) to explicate the relationship between indicators and criteria to provide clear guidelines for designers of consumer health information systems. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in seven digital reference databases including Medicine, Psychology, Communication, and Library and Information Science to identify empirical studies that report how consumers directly and explicitly describe their evaluation of online health information quality. Thirty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria. A qualitative content analysis was performed to identify quality evaluation criteria, indicators, and their relationships. Results: We identified 25 criteria and 165 indicators. The most widely reported criteria used by consumers were trustworthiness, expertise, and objectivity. The indicators were related to source, content, and design. Among them, 114 were positive indicators (entailing positive quality judgments), 35 were negative indicators (entailing negative judgments), and 16 indicators had both positive and negative quality influence, depending on contextual factors (eg, source and individual differences) and criteria applied. The most widely reported indicators were site owners/sponsors; consensus among multiple sources; characteristics of writing and language; advertisements; content authorship; and interface design. Conclusions: Consumer evaluation of online health information is a complex cost-benefit analysis process that involves the use of a wide range of criteria and a much wider range of quality indicators. There are commonalities in the use of criteria across user groups and source types, but the differences are hard to ignore. Evidently, consumers’ health information evaluation can be characterized as highly subjective and contextualized, and sometimes, misinformed. These findings invite more research into how different user groups evaluate different types of online sources and a personalized approach to educate users about evaluating online health information quality.

Facilitators and Barriers for Advance Care Planning Among Ethnic and Racial Minorities in the U.S.: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature

Abstract: Growing evidence suggests a low engagement in advance care planning (ACP) among ethnic minorities in the U.S. The purpose of this study was to synthesize findings from prior research about ACP among ethnic minorities. An extensive literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases. After applying inclusion criteria, 26 studies were included. Four categories of facilitators and barriers to ACP were identified: (1) Socio-demographic factors, (2) health status, literacy and experiences, (3) cultural values, and (4) spirituality. Socio-demographic factors showed inconsistent findings regarding their association with ACP engagement. Worse health status and knowledge about ACP are common facilitators across ethnic minority groups, whereas mistrust toward the health care system was a barrier only for Blacks. Collectivistic cultural values influenced ACP engagement among Latinos and Asian Americans; however, spirituality/religion played an important role among Blacks. The implications for culturally competent approaches to promote ACP and future research directions are discussed.

Nurses' views regarding implementing advance care planning for older people: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies.

Abstract: Aims and objectives To explore nurses' views regarding implementing advance care planning for older people. Background Advance care planning is recommended as a way for older people to discuss their future care with family members and health professionals. Nurses play key roles in the process of advance care planning, including ensuring that patients are informed of their rights and that decisions are known to, and respected by, the health care team. Thus, understanding of nurses' experiences and perspectives regarding implementing advance care planning for older people is a significant topic for review. Design Qualitative meta-synthesis. Methods Four databases including CINAHL plus, Medline [EBSCOhost], EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched, and 1844 articles were initially screened. Finally, 18 articles were critically appraised and a thematic synthesis was undertaken. Results Four themes were identified regarding implementation of advance care planning: perceived disadvantages and advantages of advance directives; nurses' responsibility and roles; facilitators and barriers; and nurses' needs and recommendations. Nurses felt that advance directives provided more advantages than disadvantages. Nurses generally believed that they were well positioned to engage in advance care planning conversations. Nurses perceived barriers relating to older people, families, environment, time, culture, cost, language and knowledge of health care teams with regard to advance care planning. In nurses' needs, education and support were highlighted. Conclusions This study provides useful knowledge for implementing advance care planning through illustrating nurses' experiences and perspectives. The results showed that nurses were more concerned about barriers in relation to working environment, teamwork, time and knowledge of health care team members than older people's characteristics, when implementing advance care planning. Relevance to clinical practice The findings provide nurses and administrators with information to develop related policies and education. Additionally, the appointment of nurses to formal roles related to advance care planning is appropriate and warranted.

Picking up the pace: changes in method and frame for the health information national trends survey (2011-2014).

Abstract: Health communication and health information technology influence the ways in which health care professionals and the public seek, use, and comprehend health information. The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) program was developed to assess the effect of health communication and health information technology on health-related attitudes, knowledge, and behavior. HINTS has fielded 3 national data collections with the fourth (HINTS 4) currently underway. Throughout this time, the Journal of Health Communication has been a dedicated partner in disseminating research based on HINTS data. Thus, the authors thought it the perfect venue to provide an historical overview of the HINTS program and to introduce the most recent HINTS data collection effort. This commentary describes the rationale for and structure of HINTS 4, summarizes the methodological approach applied in Cycle 1 of HINTS 4, describes the timeline for the HINTS 4 data collection, and identifies priorities for research using HINTS 4 data.