Hosting Grand Rounds is a rewarding experience in that it compels you to read through a wonderfully diverse, informative, and insightful collection of thoughts from around the health care world.

Here are some highlights from the past week, and thanks to all who contributed. Enjoy, and read as many as you can:

Dr. Val shares a book review that she published on Scientific American’s website about “Tabloid Medicine: How The Internet Is Being Used to Hijack Medical Science for Fear and Profit.” In this important book Robert Goldberg, PhD, explains why the Internet is a double-edged sword when it comes to health information, empowering some to better decisions, while misleading others into dangerous ideologies such as the anti-vaccine movement. A must-read post and book!

Shrink Rap discloses a story about a psychiatrist who is distraught about an on-line review that he believes was posted by a patient still under his care, and explores the ethics and credibility of such a dilemma.

Future Docs presents a cogent argument for why you should want a medical student to be involved in your care.  Apparently people are now suing medical students along with doctors. Has it really come to this?

Maria from In White Ink reflects on the sacred spaces that are opened by a hospital key card, and reminds us of the privilege that comes with being invited into the private world of a sick patient.  She is a most eloquent and thoughtful physician-writer.

Dr. Pullen delves into the recent admission by Lady Gaga that she tested borderline positive for Lupus, and suspects the uncertainties surrounding the ANA test are to blame for a common predicament.

Enabling Healthy Decisions debates the relative merits of multi-tasking versus focused thinking, and advocates for the old-fashioned focused thinking which engages the hippocampus and allows us to apply knowledge.

Medical Lessons asserts the importance of the salutation “doctor” for some patients, including the star of The King’s Speech, and reminds us of the respect conveyed by using formal names.

Clinical Cases and Images marvels at a report of a heart that has endured 67 stents and 28 coronary angiograms. The cost, cumulative radiation, and logistics are unreal.

Suture for a Living highlights research into a new breast cancer oncogene, ZNF703. Hopefully practical applications will include targeted therapy similar to Herceptin.

Onc RN shares a lovely poem of sorts about hope, and the sobering work of a would-be healer.

ACP Internist asks whether everyone taking a statin drug really needs to in light of news that up to 25% of adults are now taking these medicines.

ACP Hospitalist highlights new research showing that bacterial contamination of physicians’ newly laundered uniforms occurs within three hours of putting them on, making them no more or less dirty than the traditional white coats.

Nuts for Healthcare considers the future of pharma and concludes that the drug development paradigm favors drugs with high prices that are supported by proven better outcomes.

Health Blawg outlines two large fines announced last week by HHS in cases against HIPAA violators.

Mind the Gap laments that more is not done to prevent the falls of the elderly, as recently experienced by his own mother.  A commenter points towards a helpful CDC tip sheet for those looking to take responsibility.

Emmy asks some important questions about the nature of breast cancer and its causative factors.

BJC Health shows how a stressful time in his life created symptoms reminiscent of a condition he frequently diagnoses and treats – fibromyalgia.

Jill of All Trades rehashes a discussion that is all too common with a patient who does not see the irony between cause and effect.

Insureblog revels in the good news that a daily cocktail or glass of wine may help ward of dementia.

Health Business Blog interviews an expert at the University of Rochester about the NIH’s planned drug development center.

Hanging by a Stethoscope reveals a phenomenon in the Filippino health care system in which patients often seek medical certificates excusing work absences, instead of seeking treatment, per se.

Healthline explains a new head lice treatment for adults and children.

Pam Ressler offers an interview she gave about her research in narrative medicine, blogging, and social media in health care.

The Happy Hospitalist points out that white males seem to face longer odds for admission to medical school.

Allergy notes reviews some salient points about chronic spontaneous urticaria.

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This concludes Grand Rounds for March 1st, 2011.  I’d like to thank all the contributors who shared some excellent writings this week, and would like to encourage those who write about health and medical topics to keep Grand Rounds going.  Your contributions, readership, and inspiration help forge a community.

Next week’s Grand Rounds will be at Dr. Pullen’s site, so head on over soon.

Thank you!