Ketamine And The Importance of Comprehensive Training
2023 Schedule for the "Mini-Fellowship" Intensive Training Program:
October 12th through the 14th - Course Full - Alternate list available (Last class in 2023)
How to Apply for Training
2024 Schedule for the "Mini-Fellowship" Intensive Training Program:
January 18th through the 20th - Four available openings
March 14th through the 16th - Four available openings
May 16th through the 18th - Four available openings
Transform Your Practice with Comprehensive Ketamine Therapy Training
As clinicians, we are responsible for ensuring that our patients receive the highest quality of care. One of the most exciting developments in this regard is the increasing evidence for the efficacy of ketamine therapy for a range of psychiatric and chronic pain conditions. Research has consistently demonstrated that ketamine infusions can be an incredibly beneficial and effective treatment for conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. By incorporating this treatment into your practice, you can provide your patients with a safe and effective treatment option.
The Pitfalls of One-Size-Fits-All Protocols
Ketamine infusion therapy is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Individual variability in how patients respond to ketamine is a critical factor to consider. Metabolism, genetics, and physiological factors differ from person to person, influencing the drug's effects and potential side effects. A standardized protocol may lead to inadequate dosing, resulting in reduced treatment efficacy or even adverse reactions.
Moreover, diverse conditions require tailored treatment approaches. Patients seeking ketamine infusion therapy present with a wide range of conditions, each with unique underlying causes and specific treatment needs. Implementing a generic protocol overlooks the individuality of patients and limits the therapy's effectiveness.
The Power of Personalized Ketamine Therapy
Personalized ketamine therapy harnesses the full potential of this groundbreaking treatment. By understanding the patient's individual characteristics, medical history, and therapeutic goals, clinicians can design a tailored treatment plan that optimizes treatment outcomes. Personalization extends beyond dosing adjustments; it considers the patient's safety, comfort, and overall treatment satisfaction.
Adequate Training is Key To Professional Success and Improved Patient Outcomes
However, as with any new therapeutic approach, ketamine infusion therapy requires specialized training to administer effectively and safely. Therefore, we encourage clinicians to obtain the necessary training to offer this service. With a proper understanding of how ketamine works and the risks associated with its use, practitioners can confidently offer ketamine therapy while providing their patients with a safe and effective treatment option.
The Importance of Complying With Professional Organization Recommendations
It is essential to obtain training that complies with the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recommendations. Evidence-based didactics, supervised clinical infusion experience, and ongoing support and mentoring are critical to implementing ketamine therapy into your practice.
The future of medicine is here. By embracing ketamine infusion therapy in your practice, you will be at the forefront of a revolutionary approach to treatment and make a lasting impact on the lives of your patients and how we treat mood disorders and chronic pain.
Learn More About Ketamine Therapy for Mood Disorders
Ketamine Infusion Therapy Gains Recognition
Ketamine infusion therapy is an exciting new development in the world of psychiatry. It has shown great promise in the treatment of a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
During the recent COVID epidemic, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder rates have all risen dramatically. Media outlets have been educating the public about the tremendous therapeutic benefits of ketamine and other psychedelics for the rapid relief of mood disorders and related conditions.
Health insurance companies in both Canada and the U.S. have taken notice and may soon start covering ketamine-based therapy treatments. As awareness grows around this new treatment breakthrough, many more people who suffer from mental health issues will be able to benefit from ketamine-based therapy that has been proven to be effective.
The Need For Well-Trained Ketamine Clinicians
The Rise of "Ketamine Clinics"
Ketamine-based therapy is increasingly recognized as a rapid and highly effective treatment of mood disorders — with success rates that exceed 75% or more — and patients who haven't received help from conventional approaches are demanding new treatment options. Unfortunately, to meet this demand, the number of questionable "ketamine clinics" and "at-home" ketamine services has also risen.
Despite its effectiveness in treating mood disorders, the "one-size-fits-all" ketamine therapy approach employed by many clinics cannot replicate the same level of relief seen in controlled clinical studies. Moreover, some treatment centers may not provide sufficient preparations to patients or adhere to strict patient selection criteria as recommended by medical organizations, leading to less-than-optimal results.
Unfortunately, certain commercial interests are attempting to "expand the accessibility" of ketamine therapy by treating patients remotely and providing them with nasal sprays, lozenges, and pills that contain ketamine to use at home. Despite its potential for a gain in profits, this practice is strongly opposed by experienced clinicians and professional organizations because of its lack of credible, evidence-based efficacy and potentially hazardous side effects.
Various elements have caused these issues to arise, but inadequate education and training in ketamine therapy among some professionals have substantially contributed to this dilemma.
Lack of Adequate Training
Sadly, too many clinicians may have taken shortcuts for various reasons and not sought adequate training programs before starting ketamine therapy. This could be due to the apparent simplicity of the ketamine infusion, which lulled some clinicians into thinking that formal training may not be necessary. However, ketamine therapy is unlike any other medical procedure and has many complexities and unique aspects, something that many without adequate training fail to recognize.
Poor Training Leads to Poor Outcomes
Although most ketamine providers cite research studies indicating that up to 70-75%% of people can improve following ketamine therapy, recent studies have shown that ketamine may not be nearly that effective when it is given by clinicians in a community ketamine clinic setting. Some believe a more realistic number would be only 35-45% of people respond to ketamine infusions when it is given in an outpatient ketamine clinic or center. (references: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
These subpar outcomes may well be the result of a lack of adequate training, experience, or understanding of the unique aspects of this remarkable but complex treatment. Not only are the outcomes much poorer, but there was also an increasing number of adverse effects and potential safety issues for patients noted. This has prompted professional organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association to make recommendations emphasizing the importance of obtaining proper ketamine-based training before offering ketamine therapy to patients.
This Causes Concern for All
In fact, according to authors of the American Psychological Association (APA) consensus guidelines, it is estimated that fewer than 5% of ketamine providers adhere to the standards for selection, evaluation, and safety recommendations. This is a cause for concern, as deviation from these guidelines and from the evidence provided by randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up studies may put patients at increased risk. One author states, "the further we deviate from established standards, the greater the risk to patients." (reference: 6)
Professional Organization Recommendations
To ensure the safe and successful use of ketamine, clinicians offering any form of care must be properly trained and educated. To help meet this growing demand, in 2017 the American Psychiatric Association released Consensus Guidelines outlining the qualifications and comprehensive training necessary to provide health professionals with the tools they need to safely and effectively use ketamine-based therapy in their practices. In addition, states are beginning to pass strict laws regarding the safe use of ketamine for the treatment of mood disorders, such as the one passed recently in Utah (UT-58-1-510), which will directly impact ketamine centers not only in Utah but in other states as similar measures are adopted.
Included in those recommendations was the need for didactic educational training and "hands-on" clinical experience administering ketamine infusion therapy under the supervision of more experienced clinicians. Allowing practitioners to gain both an intellectual understanding of ketamine therapy and develop the essential skills and techniques necessary to become proficient in the safe administration of ketamine to their patients.
Also, practitioners need to be aware of new laws regarding the strict avoidance of moderate to deep sedation while using ketamine and be trained in appropriate airway management techniques
However, it is important to note that neither the APA nor the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) currently provide or offer comprehensive training programs in ketamine infusion therapy (KIT) for clinicians. Furthermore, they do not approve or accredit any specific training programs. In addition, there are no nationally recognized certification programs for this treatment modality by organizations such as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
The absence of a national certification process combined with the lack of specific training programs provided or approved by the APA and ASA, points to the need for alternative, high-quality, comprehensive training programs.
Training Programs Vary Greatly in Content and Quality
Many organizations are offering ketamine training, but the quality of these programs varies. Clinicians who are new to ketamine therapy and seeking education may find it difficult to determine which ones are reputable and offer comprehensive instruction. Often, the programs are led by multiple clinicians with varying levels of clinical knowledge or experience. This can make it very difficult to form a cohesive and effective understanding of ketamine therapy.
It is important to look for programs that offer all of the training components recommended by the APA, including didactic education, supervised clinical training, and individual mentoring. It is essential that any program offering ketamine-based therapy training includes real-world experience administering ketamine therapy under the close supervision of more experienced clinicians.
On-Line Programs versus Actual Clinical Training
On-Line Programs
Many training programs are being conducted "online" and have the apparent advantage of offering inexpensive, convenient, on-demand modules for training. Although this format is appealing, pre-recorded online program modules can't answer important questions that often come up during training sessions. In addition, they do not provide any form of supervised "hands-on" instruction as recommended by the APA. Lastly, they do not provide any form of ongoing personal clinical guidance after the course to assist you as you begin your infusion program.
Clinical Training Programs
On-site clinical training programs are usually more expensive but provide an optimal environment for learning about ketamine therapy. Participants benefit from receiving in-depth instruction and direct guidance from experienced clinicians. This type of program meets all professional organizations' (APA and ASA) recommendations for training. Also, it allows for personalized mentoring and coaching after completion of the course so that clinicians can be sure they are adhering to best practices when administering ketamine to their patients.
Furthermore, many medical liability insurance companies recommend or may require this type of training for their clinicians to be adequately covered and insured. This is because they recognize that these courses provide the highest level of education, with participants receiving comprehensive instruction and direct contact with experienced practitioners knowledgeable in the use of ketamine therapy.
Consequently, investing in an on-site ketamine therapy training course is an excellent way for clinicians to understand the procedure and its potential therapeutic benefits thoroughly. Furthermore, completing this type of intense educational experience can help ensure that practitioners practice safely and responsibly when administering ketamine to their patients.
Few Options Exist
Unfortunately, there a very few training programs available that have qualified and experienced ketamine clinicians who can provide this level of comprehensive educational training experience and supervised clinical training in the setting of an operational ketamine infusion center.
That is the advantage of the Ketamine Research Institute's "Mini-Fellowship" in ketamine-based therapy. This is not a simple online course but an opportunity for clinicians to come and spend several days with us in an immersive learning environment - an actual ketamine infusion center. This type of training is certainly more intensive and expensive to provide, but the education, experience, ongoing support, and mentorship you receive are invaluable.
Ketamine Research Institute is Leading The Way in Clinician Training
The "Mini-Fellowship" Intensive Ketamine Training Program for Clinicians
The Ketamine Research Institute, offers a comprehensive "Mini-Fellowship" Intensive Training Course for Clinicians that is designed to fill this significant gap in standardized training. The course aligns with and, in fact, surpasses the recommendations set forth by the APA, ASA, and DEA Practitioner Guidelines for Controlled Substances.
Alignment with APA Guidelines
Our training course complies the key areas as outlined in the APA's 2017 Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine for the Treatment of Mood Disorders. The training program covers the latest evidence-based guidelines for the use of ketamine in the treatment of mood disorders, including indications, contraindications, dosing regimens, and potential side effects. Clinicians are trained to monitor and manage any complications and ensure proper patient follow-up. The key areas we cover include:
Patient Selection: We train our clinicians in thorough patient assessment, focusing on appropriate indications, contraindications, and potential risks of ketamine therapy.
Clinician Experience and Training: Our course provides comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on training in all aspects of ketamine therapy.
Treatment Setting: We emphasize the importance of a controlled, comfortable, and safe environment for the administration of ketamine.
Medication Delivery: We cover various methods of delivery, including correct dosages, procedures, and management of potential complications.
Follow-Up and Assessments: Regular patient assessments and follow-up protocols are a key part of our training.
Efficacy of Longer-Term Repeated Administration: The course delves into the effectiveness of longer-term treatment plans and how to manage these.
Safety Measures and Continuation of Treatment: Safety is our utmost priority, and we ensure that our clinicians are well-versed in all safety protocols and measures.
Adherence to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Guidelines
Our course also meets the ASA's recommendations, including:
- Practice Guidelines for Sedation and Analgesia by Non-Anesthesiologists
- Distinguishing Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) from Moderate Sedation/Analgesia
- Statement of Granting Privileges for Administration of Moderate Sedation to Practitioners
- Basic Standards for Preanesthesia Care
- Standards for Basic Anesthetic Monitoring
- Statement on Documentation of Anesthesia Care
- Statement on Intravenous (IV) Fluid Bag Spiking (including allowable shelf live) and :
- Statement on Recommendations for Safe Injection Practices
We provide a robust grounding in these standards to ensure our clinicians can deliver the highest level of care.
Compliance with DEA Guidelines
Beyond complying with the guidelines set forth by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), it is crucial to remember that ketamine is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. This means that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulates its usage and administration, and specific requirements must be met to ensure legal and ethical practice.
For more detailed information about how our training program meets APA, ASA, and DEA recommendations, rules, and requirements - please click here!
Surpassing Standard Recommendations
In addition to aligning with the guidelines set forth by these esteemed organizations, our program goes beyond their recommendations by offering our trainees unique learning experiences and resources. One such opportunity we provide is for clinicians to experience a ketamine infusion personally. This immersive experience allows participants to better understand the patient's perspective, enabling them to select candidates and design individualized treatment plans more effectively.
We also incorporate more sophisticated methods of providing safe, effective, and consistent ketamine therapy by employing basic, clinically relevant pharmacokinetic modeling. This approach enhances our clinicians' understanding of ketamine's actions within the body, allowing them to make well-informed decisions about dosing and administration.
Our training program extends beyond the APA and ASA recommendations by addressing drug-drug interactions and genetic factors affecting ketamine efficacy. This knowledge helps our clinicians to better tailor treatment plans for each patient and minimize the risk of adverse events.
Lastly, we understand the importance of ongoing support and mentoring for the professional development of our trainees. To this end, we offer personal ongoing clinical, and professional mentoring to ensure that our graduates continue to excel in their practice of ketamine therapy.
In summary, the Ketamine Research Institute is leading the way in ketamine infusion therapy and physician education with our new ketamine infusion training programs. We’re on a mission to accelerate the healthcare revolution. We have pioneered ketamine infusion therapy to bring the latest breakthrough discoveries about ketamine, Personalized Medicine, and Targeted Infusion Therapy out of the research lab and into our infusion centers and training programs.
How to Apply for Training
The "Mini-Fellowship" Program is Specifically Designed
for Clinicians in the Fields of:
Psychiatry, Primary Care, Integrative/Functional Medicine, and Emergency Medicine
All training is conducted in our state-of-the-art infusion center - the Ketamine Research Institute in Sarasota, FL
our class sizes are limited to only
four to six clinicians per training session - apply early!
2023 Course Schedule and Application
Learn About New Advancements in Ketamine Therapy
The Advantages of Personalized Medicine and Targeted Infusion Therapy
Our advanced training course is designed to provide clinicians with the knowledge and skills to deliver safer and more effective ketamine therapy with up to 50% greater effectiveness and 90% higher patient compliance rates than other community providers. Our course goes beyond the limited pharmacological concepts of the standard ketamine infusion protocol, expanding into targeted infusion therapy and personalized medicine to unlock the full potential of ketamine therapy for patients.
The Cutting-Edge Treatment You Need to Know About:
Ketamine Infusion Therapy with Precision Medicine and
Target-Controlled Infusions
If you are a clinician interested in providing ketamine-based therapy to your patients but don't feel confident in your ability to do so safely and effectively, consider enrolling in KRI's "Mini-Fellowship" program. This intensive training program complies with all APA and ASA professional recommendations for training in ketamine therapy.
It will provide you with everything you need to use ketamine therapy safely and effectively in your practice - from didactic lectures led by expert educators to hands-on clinical experiences at a fully operational infusion center. You'll also have access to ongoing personal mentoring from experienced clinicians throughout the duration of the program and beyond.
Our Goal
Our goal is to train the Top 100 Ketamine Clinicians in the United States. Our graduates will become leaders in their field, highly respected ketamine experts, and serve as professional examples of clinicians providing the safest and most effective ketamine therapy available.
Propper didactic and clinical training is vitally important as ketamine therapy is recognized as an effective treatment modality for mood disorders. Authors of the American Psychological Association (APA) Consensus Guidelines for ketamine therapy have suggested an alarming lack of adherence to safety guidelines among providers creating a potential risk to patient welfare. Their estimations suggest that only a small portion - less than 5% - of ketamine providers adhere to the selection, evaluation, and safety standards.* This disconcertingly small number may be a sign that much of the ketamine treatment being provided in local clinics are not meeting essential safety standards, potentially creating risk to patients who receive care.
To ensure that high standards and effective treatment in ketamine therapy are maintained, the "Mini-Fellowship" training program has been developed. Our intensive training program provides practitioners with the most up-to-date evidence-based education and training in ketamine therapy, supervised clinical experience administering ketamine therapy, and personalized mentorship available to ensure that the highest standards are met.
Our Experience and Qualifications
The "Mini-Fellowship" Intensive Training Program for Clinicians is a sophisticated and advanced training program that results from over 35 years of clinical research and experience in ketamine practice. Over the past three decades, I have conducted clinical ketamine research and provided thousands of hours of continuously monitored ketamine infusions to individuals worldwide, gaining invaluable experience in various clinical circumstances. Our work has been presented at national conferences, academic, and governmental institutions providing educational programs in the use and future application of ketamine therapy.
In addition, I have served as principal investigator for pharmaceutical companies engaged in Phase III drug trials for psychopharmacological agents seeking FDA approval and served as clinical advisor to various organizations and biotechnology firms.
All of this experience is then distilled down and passed on to our attendees through didactic lectures, small-group discussions, and hands-on opportunities to administer ketamine under direct supervision. We offer this wealth of experience and knowledge to participants in our program so they can return to their practices confident in their abilities to provide ketamine-based therapy safely and effectively. The bottom line is that we can provide you with the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to be a well-respected and successful clinician providing ketamine therapy in your community.
More About Our Program
The Ketamine Research Institute (KRI) has developed an advanced and intensive educational program specifically designed to train clinicians in the safe and effective use of ketamine-based therapy for mood disorders - the "Mini-Fellowship" Intensive Training Program for Clinicians. KRI's curriculum is based on best practices and evidence-based treatment protocols established by leading clinicians in the field. The program is designed for novice and experienced practitioners to gain important skills that will enable them to confidently and competently administer ketamine-based therapy.
The program provides everything you need to become a highly qualified and proficient clinician in ketamine-based therapy. Our training program provides a comprehensive educational experience that includes didactic lectures, interactive discussions, case studies, and "hands-on" clinical experience at a fully operational ketamine infusion center. We also provide you with the unique opportunity to personally experience what it feels like to undergo a ketamine infusion. This valuable experience can be profound and provide you with valuable insights into the "phenomenology" of the ketamine experience, which can be crucial when working with patients receiving this remarkable new therapy.
In addition, we also provide you with six months of personal mentoring as you begin your ketamine practice to ensure that your program runs smoothly from its inception. Graduates of our training program also become part of our extensive patient referral network, an exclusive group of highly trained and qualified clinicians who are dedicated to helping those in need access safe, effective ketamine infusion therapy.
Our program was designed by experienced experts in the field of clinical ketamine research and therapy. It incorporates the latest advances in our understanding of how ketamine works, as well as new approaches, protocols, and techniques to enhance the effectiveness of ketamine therapy. We are confident that no other training program in the United States can provide the level of depth, clinical experience, and sophistication required to become a highly skilled provider of ketamine therapy than the Ketamine Research Institute.
Maximizing Ketamine Therapy Efficacy: A Comprehensive Training Course for Clinicians
Understand the Basics of the Standard Ketamine Protocol — Then Take it to the Next Level
Our training course is designed to provide clinicians with a comprehensive and superior understanding of ketamine therapy, including the evolution and development of the standard ketamine infusion, including its inherent limitations. The standard ketamine infusion has gained attention recently as a potential treatment for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that when this treatment is removed from a controlled research environment and applied in community practice, its effectiveness is not as high as initially suggested by research studies. (references: 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5)
The Imprecise and Highly Variable Nature of Standard Ketamine Therapy
This can be attributed to many factors, such as the lack of personalized dosing strategies and a failure to consider individual patient variations. Standard dosing regimens, such as a fixed mg/kg based on body weight, do not consider variations in body mass, volumes of distribution, or variations in CYP450 metabolic pathways. These variations can significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of the medication and, thus, the effectiveness of the treatment.
Our advanced training course goes beyond the limited selection criteria and pharmacological concepts of the standard ketamine infusion protocol. It expands into rigorous patient selection and evaluations, combined with targeted infusion therapy and personalized medicine, to unlock the full potential of ketamine therapy for patients. By considering individual variations and tailoring the treatment to each patient, our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide safer and more effective treatment using the latest research and pharmacological approaches.
Personalized Medicine and Targeted Infusion Therapy:
Achieve Up to 50% Greater Effectiveness than Ketamine Providers Using the Outdated "One-Size-Fits-All Approach"
Clinicians trained by us can be confident that they possess the skills necessary to successfully deliver ketamine therapy in accordance with all recommended professional guidelines and with up to 50% greater effectiveness and 90% higher patient compliance rates than other community providers. (references: KRI Study)
Six Key Benefits of Our Program
1. Going beyond the standard ketamine infusion outdated mg/kg protocol, our students learn an advanced Personalized Medicine and Targeted Infusion Therapy approach known as Ketamine PLUS. Our training includes everything you need to know about the standard ketamine infusion, but takes it to the next level with a more sophisticated, evidence-based, pharmacokinetic modeling approach to ketamine therapy that can result in up to 50% greater effectiveness, 50% lower adverse effects, and up to 90% higher patient compliance rates than other ketamine centers are providing.
2. Supervised clinical training administering ketamine as recommended by the APA with hands-on experience and skill you need to provide safe and well-tolerated infusions.
3. Personally experience a ketamine infusion - providing invaluable insight into selecting appropriate candidates & successful outcomes.
4. Personal mentoring & clinical advisement for six months after the course providing expert advice and recommendations for best practices in patient selection, evaluation, & advanced treatment protocols.
5. Inclusion in our extensive referral network for qualified ketamine practitioners.
6. The "Mini Fellowship" program meets all APA/ASA recommendations for training in ketamine therapy & complies with recent state laws regarding providing safe, effective ketamine therapy.
Our Program is Unique Among Training Program
The Ketamine Research Institute training program is one-of-a-kind, custom-tailored, and specific to the professionals' intended use of ketamine-based therapy. It is particularly well suited for clinicians in the fields of Psychiatry, Primary Care, Integrative/Functional Medicine, and Emergency Medicine who are new to this modality and are interested in adding ketamine-based therapy to their practice as a rapidly effective treatment for various mood disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and PTSD. Our program is one of the very few that comply with all APA and ASA recommendations for training in ketamine therapy.
All Training is Conducted on Site in an Actual Infusion Center
Our training program is conducted "on-site" and "in-person" in our infusion center at the Ketamine Research Institute in Sarasota, FL, which allows you to become familiar with the environment in which infusions are performed. Training in our infusion center allows you to gain "hands-on" experience performing infusions under supervision and become familiar with all the necessary monitoring equipment, intravenous delivery systems, and supplies essential for the safe administration, storage, and handling of ketamine.
Personalized Medicine and Targeted Infusion Therapy
Our course provides a detailed understanding of the inherent but often overlooked intrinsic limitations of the standard ketamine infusion developed at Yale in 1994. This knowledge is critical to achieving the best therapeutic benefit for your patients. We employ a highly practical and "in-depth" approach to ketamine therapy, using basic and advanced principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that is not available in any other training program known as Ketamine PLUS. This includes a proprietary Personalized Medicine and Targeted Infusion Therapy approach to overcome limitations of the "standard" one-size-fits-all infusion and significantly improve the effectiveness of ketamine therapy — optimizing your ability to achieve success with your patients.
Training Excellence
We believe that providing safe, more effective, and better-tolerated ketamine infusion therapy is essential to become recognized as a highly skilled and successful clinician rather than just another "ketamine clinic." We are dedicated to helping clinicians become the specialists in this field that they strive to be through our comprehensive and intensive program.
It is our mission to provide clinically meaningful, evidence-based education and training to enable you to bring ketamine-based therapy safely and effectively into your practice — so you can make a more positive difference in the lives of your patients.
The Benefits of Our Program
Small Group - One-on-One Attention
We limit our course to six practitioners to facilitate a personal and tight-knit learning environment where everyone can actively participate and become comfortable with administering ketamine infusion therapy in an operational ketamine infusion center. While with us, clinicians have an opportunity to become familiar with and use all of the necessary monitoring equipment, venous access technologies, intravenous delivery systems, and supplies necessary for the safe administration, storage, and handling of ketamine.
Personalized To Your Needs
To the degree possible to maintain our educational objectives, the 3-day intensive training is customized to each practitioner's needs and skill level. It delves deeply into specialized aspects of ketamine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, including the effects of patient-specific metabolism, medication interactions, and genomic variables on ketamine metabolism and efficacy.
Our Advanced Didactic Component
Our specialized didactic training program is unlike any other available ketamine training. It offers clinicians not only comprehensive, in-depth classroom-based instruction, but more advanced topics in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of ketamine therapy. In addition, we focus on a Personalized Medicine and Targeted Infusion Therapy approach to ketamine therapy that increases its effectiveness in every day "Real World" clinical applications.
The Necessary "Hands-On" Clinical Experience
Administrating ketamine infusions safely and effectively requires a comprehensive understanding of how to personalize the dosing regimen, use precision medicine concepts, and tailor the infusion plasma concentrations of ketamine to achieve optimum therapeutic effects. Our clinical training guides you through administering ketamine while also providing the opportunity to learn the skills and techniques necessary to become highly proficient in this therapy.
The Ketamine "Experience" Component
Going a step beyond, we also encourage clinicians to personally experience what it is like to have a ketamine infusion. It is our experience that having a first-hand understanding of what ketamine feels like, and how it affects cognition, mood, and behavior can be extremely helpful and provide valuable insights into the "ketamine experience" when working with patients who are receiving this remarkable new therapy.
Operational Resources and Precision Medicine Tools
At the Ketamine Research Institute, we understand that becoming fully operational as a professional can be difficult. That's why we provide all our trainees with the necessary resources and recommendations for equipment, supplies, pharmaceuticals, and vendors to make getting started smoother. With this support system, you are guaranteed success on your journey toward becoming a certified professional!
At our program, you'll have access to a wide range of items and services needed for ketamine infusion therapy. We believe that providing these tools and resources as part of our program can help clinicians achieve better outcomes for their patients and improve the overall quality of ketamine therapy.
Operational Resources
- Ketamine pumps
- Infusion bags, tubing, and IV catheters
- ACLS Crash carts, AEDs, and Oxygen suppliers
- Infusion chairs and recliners
- Pharmaceutical-grade ketamine
- DEA Compliant medication storage
- Pulse oximeters, ECG machines, and blood pressure cuffs for monitoring purposes
- Protocols & guidelines developed by expert staff members
- Access to reliable vendors/suppliers
- Support from experienced clinicians in the field of ketamine therapy
Medical Documentation and Precision Medicine Tools
In addition, we provide all the necessary medical documentation and resources as part of the program and ensure that clinicians have everything they need to provide safe, effective, and evidence-based ketamine therapy to their patients. These include:
Medical Documentation
• Initial Evaluation: A comprehensive assessment of the patient's medical history, mental health, and physical condition is necessary to determine the suitability of ketamine therapy for the patient. We provide a template for initial evaluation that covers all the required aspects of the patient's medical history and current condition.
• Psychological Assessment Tools: We provide a range of psychological assessment tools to help clinicians determine the patient's mental health status and monitor their progress throughout the therapy.
• Informed Consent: Proper informed consent is crucial before starting medical treatment. We provide a template for informed consent that covers all the necessary aspects of ketamine therapy.
• Ketamine Infusion Records: We provide templates for ketamine infusion records, including the dosage administered, infusion duration, vital signs, and any adverse reactions observed.
• Pre-Procedural Notes: We provide templates for pre-procedural notes that clinicians can use to document the patient's medical history, current condition, and any other relevant information before starting the infusion.
• Post-Procedural Notes: We provide templates for post-procedural notes that clinicians can use to document the patient's response to the infusion, any adverse reactions observed, and recommendations for future treatment.
• DEA Medication Logbook: Ketamine is a controlled substance, and proper record-keeping is essential to comply with DEA regulations. We provide a template for a DEA medication logbook to ensure clinicians can adequately document the administration and disposal of ketamine.
• Discharge Instructions: Proper discharge instructions are crucial to ensure the patient's safety and comfort after the infusion. We provide templates for discharge instructions that cover all the necessary aspects of post-infusion care.
Personalized Medicine Tools and Resources
We also include a range of precision medicine, genetic assessment tools, and resources to help optimize ketamine infusion therapy for your patients. Here are just some of the resources we provide:
• The KRI Rapid Guide to Ketamine Infusions: Our guide provides a quick reference for clinicians on the key principles and best practices for administering ketamine infusions safely and effectively.
• Genetic assessment tools: We provide access to a range of genetic testing and assessment tools to help you understand your patient's unique genetic profiles and how they may affect their response to ketamine therapy.
• Pharmacokinetic Algorithms: We provide pharmacokinetic algorithms that help clinicians determine the optimal dosing regimen for ketamine therapy based on the patient's medical history, current condition, and other relevant factors.
• Pre-infusion Metabolic Optimization Guide: Our guide includes recommendations for optimizing patients' metabolic function prior to ketamine infusions, which can help improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of adverse effects.
• Adjusted body weight calculators: We provide tools to help you accurately calculate the appropriate dosage of ketamine for patients with different body types and compositions.
• CPY450 Interaction Guides: Ketamine can interact with other medications and proper management of these interactions is crucial to ensure patient safety. We provide CPY450 interaction guides that help clinicians determine the potential interactions between ketamine and other medications.
We understand the importance of providing safe and effective ketamine therapy, and we're committed to providing our members with the resources they need to achieve this goal. With our program, you'll have everything you need to start offering advanced ketamine therapy to your patients with confidence.
Our Mentoring Program - Personal Guidance as You Begin
Our six-month mentoring program is an essential resource when beginning your ketamine infusion program and practice. We provide experienced guidance and support to ensure that your program runs smoothly from its inception. We advise on best practices for patient selection, dosage, treatment protocols, and much more as you get started to help ensure a safe, effective, and successful program that will improve the lives of your patients. With our experienced mentoring, you can be sure to start your program on the right track.
Become a Member of Our Extensive Referral Network
Graduates of our training program become part of our extensive patient referral network. Each month, thousands of people contact us, searching for highly trained and qualified clinicians to perform ketamine therapy. Becoming part of this exclusive group provides additional exposure for your practice, allowing you to reach potential new clients who are searching for our qualified ketamine infusion experts who are dedicated to helping those in need access safe, effective ketamine infusion therapy.
After the Course
At the completion of the program, clinicians will be certified by the Ketamine Research Institute as qualified ketamine therapy providers with supervised clinical experience. This certification is the first step in becoming a highly skilled and successful ketamine practitioner. We invite you to join our growing network of practitioners who are transforming patient care through evidence-based best practices
We believe our program is exceptional and exceeds all recommendations, didactic and clinical, published by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and also includes the added benefits of an experiential component to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of ketamine infusion therapy fully. We are committed to helping clinicians learn how to provide these treatments safely and effectively.
Please consider joining us - we look forward to working with you!
How to Apply for Training
Download the course application here
Who Should Attend
Professionals In Community-Based Practice
Our "Mini-Fellowship" Intensive Training Course For Clinicians is particularly well suited for clinicians (MD, DO, NP) in the fields of Psychiatry, Primary Care, Integrative/Functional Medicine, and Emergency Medicine. It was specifically designed for clinicians interested in ketamine therapy who are new to this unique modality and infusion therapy in general.
This course presents an excellent opportunity for professionals in community-based practice looking to expand their current medical services. Here's why:
Patient-Centric Approach: The course's focus on Patient-Specific Therapy and Responsive Drug-Delivery Control aligns perfectly with the personalized care typically offered in community-based practices. The methods taught will enable practitioners to customize treatments to each patient's unique needs, enhancing both effectiveness and patient satisfaction.
Advanced Techniques: The course takes you beyond the traditional ketamine infusion protocol to more advanced, evidence-based pharmacokinetic modeling methods. Integrating these cutting-edge techniques into your practice can help set you apart in your community, offering a unique service that not all practitioners can provide.
Improved Patient Outcomes: These methods can result in better patient outcomes by potentially increasing therapeutic effectiveness and reducing adverse effects. This can further build trust within your community, leading to higher patient retention and word-of-mouth referrals.
Professional Development: As a community practitioner, ongoing learning and development are key to staying at the forefront of healthcare advancements. This course offers the chance to broaden your knowledge and skillset, enhancing your professional growth.
For Those In Academic Practice and Commercial Venture
This course, however, might not be as suitable for those in academic practice or practices associated with larger commercial ventures due to the following reasons:
Patient Volume: Larger practices often see a higher volume of patients, which might limit the feasibility of implementing a highly individualized approach like the one taught in this course.
Protocol Standardization: In academic settings or large commercial ventures, there's often an established set of protocols that might not be as flexible for implementing new methods. The standardization necessary in these environments might make it challenging to integrate the more tailored approach taught in this course.
Resource Allocation: Implementing the advanced techniques taught in this course might require a significant investment of time and resources. Larger practices, with their more complex operational structures, might find it more challenging to allocate these resources compared to a more agile community-based practice.
In conclusion, this course offers an exciting opportunity for community-based practitioners to enhance their services and improve patient outcomes. However, the same benefits might not be as easily realized in larger or academic practice settings.
CME
CME -Unfortunately, Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits are not available for the course: We have considered obtaining Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, but the process is difficult, lengthy, and very costly. Our training program in conducted in small-group sessions that combine lectures with hands-on supervised training, and because we can only train a very limited number of clinicians each year, it is not economically feasible for us to pursue CME accreditation at this time.
Non-Disclosure Agreement
Please be aware that the course does not focus on the RESTORE infusion process, which is proprietary to the Ketamine Research Institute. However, much of the content of the course centers around the principles and methodologies used to develop RESTORE, including the proprietary data, core concepts, methodologies, and studies used to develop RESTORE. In the past, it was our policy to ask all attendees to sign non-disclosure agreements that prohibit attendees from copying, sharing, or disclosing our proprietary information with others, to protect the intellectual property of the Ketamine Research Institute. However we have revised the program content and we no longer require course attendees to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Here's What Our Graduates Are Saying
"I thoroughly enjoyed the course and thought it was a good mix of science and practical knowledge. And of course, it was very helpful as I had no clinical experience with Ketamine and just a little knowledge from what I’ve read...
It gave me a clear road map moving forward. I’m sure there is a lot still to learn, but you never know what you don’t know until it arises....Having access to your forms and waivers, etc. is huge!...
No other training offers an actual infusion for us to experience what it’s like. Having done it now, I can appreciate how difficult it would be to explain it without having done it."
— David Smith, MD - Internist/Family Practice
Ketamine PLUS infusion therapy - Become a Certified Practitioner and licensed partner with the Ketamine Research Institute
After completing our training program, you will become eligible to become a certified Ketamine PLUS provider and licensed partner with the Ketamine Research Institute. This is an unparalleled opportunity for medical professionals and ketamine specialists looking to revolutionize their skills, expand their offerings, and provide the best possible care for their patients.
By taking the KRI's certification examination, you'll demonstrate your commitment to providing the highest level of care to your patients and solidify your position as a trusted and respected provider in the field of mental health treatment.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your medical practice and make a real difference in the lives of your patients. Join the Ketamine Research Institute as a certified Ketamine PLUS provider and licensed partner today.
To Learn More About Our Programs - please click the links below:
The "Mini-Fellowship" Intensive Training Program
A Detailed Course Overview
Day 1: Ketamine-Based Therapy: The Current State of Ketamine Therapy
Day 2: Ketamine-Based Therapy: Efficacy versus Effectiveness
Day 3: Ketamine-Based Therapy: The Personalised Medicine Approach
Our 2023 Course Schedule and How To Apply For Training
New Courses Beginning in 2023
— Ketamine Training for Experienced Providers and Anesthesiologists
— Improving Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with Personalized Medicine
and Target-Controlled Administration Techniques
The Origin of Our Ketamine Training Program
What Our Graduates Say About The Course
How the Ketamine Research Institute Training Program Complies with APA and ASA Recommendations
Our Mission
The Ketamine Research Institute's mission is to train the next generation of healthcare providers in evidence-based best practices for administering safe and effective ketamine-based treatments. We are dedicated to providing clinicians with comprehensive training that is accurate, up-to-date, and clinically relevant.
For additional information, please contact us at:
training@ketamineinstitute.com
Or download the program brochure and fax all required documents to:
850.602.9013
