Grand Rounds

Welcome to Grand Rounds Vol 5, no 23! We’ve got a wonderful pot luck menu of great posts from around the medical blogosphere, so sit right down and dig in!

• In post worthy of the science section of the New York Times, Sandy Szwarc at Junkfood Science shows us just how misguided NYC’s Health commissioner is in proposing a nationwide low-salt initiative.

• I’ve often said that doctors and chefs have a lot in common. The Anesthesiaoboist thinks so too, and gives us a great list of similarities between anesthesiologists and chefs. Then she shows us how tryptophan in food is like an anesthetic agent. And gives us a recipe for cake! How much do I love this woman?

• In his fabulous post Measuring Process, Not Belief, Daniel Lende shows us how Shane Battier’s approach to the game of basketball can be a lesson in managing stress, and how, like the NBA’s stats, we may be measuring the wrong thing.

• Fat Barbie? Maybe that’s not such a good idea, says Dr Deb. I agree.

• Peanut allergy sufferers are worried now that peanuts are back as airplane snacks. Allergy notes covers the issue from all sides.

• Laika gives us some context for interpreting recent studies sowing a lack of effect of nutrients on cancer risk. Or as she puts it “You are what you eat” depends on who you are.

• From Insureblog – An update on what Big Pharma’s commitment to transparency in their relationships with docs. I’d say too little, too late, but that’s just me…

• David Harlow wonders if mandated nurse-patient ratios will ensue in Massachusetts now that nurses unions are joining forces, and references a recent California study showing no improvement in patient outcomes with higher nurse-patient ratios in that state. That study contradicts previous research I’ve read on the topic, and I think it’s safe to say the jury is still out on this one…Stay tuned. This is a very important issue, with much to be said on both sides of the argument.

• Sullydog at Receiving, a group blog from docs at a Detroit ER, asks “Are patients customers of the Emergency Department?”, then gives us 10 reasons why they are not. I like reason #10 the best –

• If you’re heading out for a seafood dinner tonight, you might want to hold off reading this post by Paul S Auerbach, MD on toxins in fish and shellfish. Then again, forewarned is forearmed…

• Toni Brayer, MD has a simple yet elegant recipe for braised cabbage, a food rich in vitamins and minerals.

• Nancy Brown, PhD teaches adolescents about vaginal discharge. And, since she mentions cottage cheese, it’s on topic!

• Dr AmAng Zhang bestows a little Chinese wisdom about food and medicine.

• Couples therapy for treatment of anorexia? That’s what the UNC wants to know, as they recruit for a clinical trial. Via Barbara Mivowitz at Sickness and Health.

• ACP Internist tells us what’s good about coffee and tea.

• Ramona Bates, MD is pouring herself another cuppa’ after new findings from the Nurse’s Health Study showed that coffee drinkers have lower risks of stroke.

• The Samurai Radiologist has a comic about radiology conference, which, as he points out, occurred at lunchtime, so technically he is on topic. Also, one of the sounds made was a “Snicker”, so he gets in on two counts!

• David Rabiner at Sharp Brains highlights recent research on working memory and brain chemistry.

• Rita Schwab has a wonderful post at Supporting Safe healthcare summarizing what she learned at conflict management skills training. I learned a lot just from reading her post. Thanks, Rita!

• Diabetes Mine announces the winners of the Diabetes Makover, a three month intensive diet and exercise coaching program. Sounds great, although the cynic in me was a little bit disturbed to see the large self-branded vitamin component of the program. Amy has wisely made that part of the program optional for the prize winners.

• One Big Health Nuts guest posts on How to Cope with Pain about how diet and exercise can alleviate chronic pain.

• In his post Sciatica and Food: Is There a Secret Cure? Dean Moyer of the Back Pain Blog points out that the only food cure for sciatica is eating less of it.

• From Jolie Bookspan the Fitness Fixer – If you’re going to kick someone, don’t hyperextend!

• Cases Blog tells us that Wellsphere is using Zagat to allow their members to rate doctors. What’s next? Frank Bruni in my waiting room?

• Its doctor-bashing time, but at least Heidi does hers in rhyme.

• Duncan Cross, a patient who blogs about illness from the other side of the exam table, wonders how the widespread use of medical imagery desexualizes our view of the human body. If Dr A is an example of what years of exposure to medical imagery can do, Duncan, I wouldn’t worry.

Thanks for coming, and have a great day!

Next week’s Grand Rounds will be hosted at Health Business Blog. Thanks to Dr Val, who coordinates Grand Rounds and Colin Son for his pre-rounds article about me.