- A consultation with a hyperbaric physician
- No decision until you’re ready
For Patients
Your First Visit
Your First Visit
Your first visit at Evolve is a consultation with one of our hyperbaric physicians. The purpose is to determine whether HBOT is appropriate for your condition, explain what treatment would involve, and answer your questions before any decision is made.
Before the Visit
Getting Ready
1
Referral
A referral from your physician is preferred — it speeds the process and helps us coordinate with your care team. But a referral is not required: you can self-refer through our Check Eligibility form for any of our indications, OHIP-covered or off-label. If you don’t have a treating physician, we assess you, then connect you with the relevant doctors or contact your existing care team after consultation.
2
Booking
Once we receive your referral, our team will contact you to schedule the consultation. For most non-urgent conditions, you will be seen within 1–2 weeks. For urgent conditions (sudden hearing loss, threatened limb, compromised graft), we prioritize same-day or next-day scheduling.
3
Pre-visit preparation
There is no special preparation required. Please bring:
- Your health card
- A list of your current medications
- Any imaging or test results related to your condition that have not already been sent
- Glasses or hearing aids you normally use
- A list of your questions
At the Visit
What Happens at Your Consultation
Clinical assessment
Your hyperbaric physician will review your history, examine you if relevant, and discuss the published evidence for HBOT in your specific situation. We will also screen for any conditions that would make HBOT unsafe (active untreated pneumothorax, certain medications, severe COPD, and others).
Discussion of the proposed treatment
If HBOT is appropriate, we will explain:
- The proposed pressure and session length
- The number of sessions and overall schedule
- Realistic expectations regarding response
- Risks and possible side effects
- OHIP coverage status and any costs you might incur
- Alternative treatments
Informed consent
If you decide to proceed, you will be asked to sign an informed consent form before treatment begins. The form documents the indication, the proposed protocol, and the risks discussed. For off-label indications, the consent form explicitly acknowledges that the indication is not OHIP-covered and not on the UHMS-approved list.
Chamber familiarization
Before your first treatment, our staff will show you the chamber, explain how it works, and answer any practical questions. Many patients find that seeing the chamber and meeting the team reduces anxiety significantly.
After the Visit
Starting Treatment
If you proceed with treatment, sessions are typically scheduled Monday through Friday at a consistent daily time that works with your schedule. Most courses run for 4 to 8 weeks. We will send a consultation note to your referring physician, and a discharge summary at the end of your course.
What if I am not a good candidate?
Sometimes the right answer is that HBOT is not the right treatment for a particular patient. If that is the case, we will tell you directly, explain why, and — where possible — suggest alternative approaches or specialist referrals that may be more appropriate.
Medical review
Dr. Vik Agarwal MD CCFP FRCPC CAQ-HP — President, Evolve Medical Group
Dr. Seema Agarwal MD CCFP CAQ-HP — Chief Medical Officer, Evolve Hyperbarics
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Next: May 2027
Get Started
Ready to Book Your Consultation?
Call 1-888-851-4268 to speak with a care coordinator, or use the eligibility form to start the
conversation. We typically respond within one business day.