Comprehension of intention-to-treat multivariate analyses often requires the intellectual boosts of chin-hair and malty hops.

As a part of my resident teaching duties, I run a periodic course on Evidence-Based Medicine. EBM is a somewhat misunderstood concept, even among physicians - it doesn't just mean that "we do studies and use the results to be doctors," but represents a specific approach to examining medical literature and applying the results of that examination to individual patient problems. Another important facet of EBM is that it has weaknesses, including the fact that it says nothing about the scientifically validity of what is being studied - a well-designed study on summoning ethereal gnomes to cure emphysema does not, in fact, prove the existence of ethereal gnomes or their interest in pulmonary disease.

Day 24 finds me engaging in the tradition of having one of our final EBM journal club sessions at a local pub, because sometimes the only way to puzzle out badly designed trial methodology is with a pint. And a beard. For the beard means wisdom, and learning. And money for boobs.

Sensation: comfortable, non-irritating facial heft

Palpation: soft facial mat that is consolidating especially in the submandibular and submental regions

Personal satisfaction rating: 3 (out of 5 Norsemen)