For many patients who contact KetaMed Infusion Center in Salisbury, the initial consultation is the first time someone has taken the time to understand not just a diagnosis, but the full arc of treatment history, the texture of daily symptoms, and what has already been tried.
That experience of being heard by a clinical team reflects a deliberate choice on our part: ketamine therapy is not a decision to be made quickly, and a thorough evaluation is foundational to an informed treatment decision. For patients across Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the Delmarva Peninsula who are considering ketamine treatment for mental health and pain for the first time, we want to walk through what our consultation process involves.
Before Your Appointment
Before your appointment, our team gathers information about your health history, current symptoms, medications, and past diagnoses. We ask patients to be as complete as possible with this information because it helps make the consultation more useful.
Relevant records from prior psychiatric, primary care, or pain-management providers can also help inform the discussion when they are available.
Building a Complete Clinical Picture
The consultation is led by KetaMed’s clinical team, including Michelle Ridgeway, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Dr. Mirza Umair Baig, a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician.
The goal is not to work through a checklist. It is to understand the complete clinical picture before reaching a recommendation. That may mean discussing a long history of depression, a pain condition that has significantly affected daily life, or PTSD symptoms that have not improved with prior care. This is a clinical conversation, not a sales pitch.
During the evaluation, we assess several areas in parallel:
- Clinical indication: Whether a patient’s diagnosis or symptom history aligns with the conditions KetaMed evaluates, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD, suicidal ideation, and chronic pain.
- Treatment history: What has been tried, at what dose, for how long, and what happened. Treatment-resistant presentations require an honest accounting of whether prior trials were adequate and consistently followed (McIntyre et al., 2023).
- Medical health review: Relevant medical history, cardiovascular status, medications, and other factors that may affect safety or dosing. In some cases, coordination with a patient’s primary care or specialty provider may be appropriate (Sanacora et al., 2017; Cohen et al., 2018).
Choosing a Treatment Approach
Some patients arrive with fixed ideas about which type of ketamine they want, often based on information they have read online or a friend’s experience elsewhere. We take those preferences seriously, but recommendations for IV ketamine infusion therapy, IM ketamine therapy, or ketamine troches are based on clinical considerations and individual history rather than preference alone.
Our team explains the reasoning behind each recommendation and invites patients to ask questions. Results vary by individual, and we want each patient to understand why a particular approach may be recommended.
For patients considering treatment for chronic pain, KetaMed evaluates IV ketamine therapy rather than IM ketamine or troches.
When Ketamine May Not Be the Right Fit
A second concern is what happens when we conclude that ketamine is not the right fit, at least not yet or not in the form a patient expected. We do not say yes to everyone, and we believe that is a mark of clinical integrity rather than a failure of service.
Some patients may need additional evaluation, stabilization, records, or coordination with another provider before ketamine can be considered. In these situations, we explain the next steps as clearly as possible. Discuss with your referring or primary care provider what additional evaluation may be appropriate before a ketamine consultation.
A Local Resource for Eastern Shore Patients
For patients throughout Salisbury and the broader Eastern Shore region, KetaMed offers a local resource for a detailed ketamine evaluation. We have designed our intake and evaluation process to be thorough without being unnecessarily burdensome and to respect the time and energy of patients already managing difficult conditions.
Reviewing our frequently asked questions about ketamine therapy may also help patients prepare for an informed conversation about their options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the initial evaluation at KetaMed take?
The consultation is designed to allow time for a thorough conversation about your history, symptoms, treatment background, medical considerations, and questions without feeling rushed.
Do I need a referral from my psychiatrist or therapist to request a consultation?
You can contact KetaMed directly to request a consultation. Depending on your history and needs, coordination with existing providers may also be appropriate.
What if I am not sure whether my symptoms qualify?
Contact us anyway. The consultation is the appropriate place to discuss your symptoms, history, and whether ketamine therapy may be appropriate.
How quickly can I begin treatment after the initial evaluation?
Timing depends on appointment availability, the recommended treatment approach, and whether additional records, evaluation, or medical coordination are needed.
What is KetaMed’s approach if one type of ketamine is not working?
KetaMed tracks patient progress and may adjust treatment planning based on individual response, symptoms, and clinical history.
Key Takeaways
- KetaMed’s initial evaluation includes a detailed review of symptoms, treatment history, medical history, and individual goals.
- The clinical team considers whether ketamine therapy may be appropriate for the patient’s specific history and presentation.
- Recommendations for IV ketamine, IM ketamine, or troches are based on clinical considerations rather than preference alone.
- Not every patient is immediately appropriate for ketamine therapy; additional evaluation or coordination may be needed.
- Results vary by individual, and ketamine is used off-label for mental health and pain applications (Sanacora et al., 2017; Cohen et al., 2018).
Conclusion
The initial evaluation is not a formality. It is the foundation on which the treatment plan is built. At KetaMed Infusion Center in Salisbury, our team takes that responsibility seriously and believes every patient on the Eastern Shore deserves thoughtful clinical attention.
Contact our clinic to schedule an initial consultation and begin the conversation.
References
Cohen, S. P., Bhatia, A., Buvanendran, A., Schwenk, E. S., Wasan, A. D., Hurley, R. W., Viscusi, E. R., Narouze, S., Davis, F. N., Ritchie, E. C., Lubenow, T. R., & Hooten, W. M. (2018). Consensus guidelines on the use of intravenous ketamine infusions for chronic pain from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 43(5), 521–546. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29870458/
McIntyre, R. S., Alsuwaidan, M., Baune, B. T., Berk, M., Demyttenaere, K., Goldberg, J. F., Gorwood, P., Ho, R., Kasper, S., Kennedy, S. H., et al. (2023). Treatment-resistant depression: Definition, prevalence, detection, management, and investigational interventions. World Psychiatry, 22(3), 394–412. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21120
Sanacora, G., Frye, M. A., McDonald, W., Mathew, S. J., Turner, M. S., Schatzberg, A. F., Summergrad, P., & Nemeroff, C. B. (2017). A consensus statement on the use of ketamine in the treatment of mood disorders. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(4), 399–405. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28249076/
About Our Team
At KetaMed Infusion Center in Salisbury, MD, our clinical team, including Michelle Ridgeway, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Dr. Mirza Umair Baig, a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, approaches each evaluation as a complete clinical picture rather than a single presenting complaint.
We offer IV ketamine, IM ketamine, and ketamine troches for verified mental health conditions, with treatment options selected based on individual history, symptoms, and clinical evaluation.
Medical Disclaimer
The content in this blog post is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ketamine may be used off-label for mental health and pain conditions. Results vary by individual. Always discuss treatment options, risks, and benefits with a qualified healthcare provider before making medical decisions.
If you are in immediate crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.