Building Effective Medical Networks: A Guide for Human Performance Healthcare Leaders

In high-performance sport and performing arts, internal teams often cover day-to-day care — physiotherapy, massage, and strength & conditioning. But when it comes to specialized medical needs, external networks are essential.

Whether it’s a sports physician, orthopaedic surgeon, or concussion expert, timely access to trusted specialists can directly influence an athlete’s recovery, compliance, and long-term performance outcomes.

For Human Performance Healthcare (HPH) leaders, building and maintaining a reliable medical network is not optional — it’s strategic. Especially for traveling teams, these relationships are the foundation of responsive, high-quality athlete care.

 

 

The HPH Leader’s Role in Medical Networking

Building strong medical partnerships is an active responsibility. Here’s what it involves:

 

Identifying and Vetting Specialists

• Look for professionals with a strong reputation in sports medicine
• Prioritize those with experience working with elite athletes
• Ask trusted colleagues for recommendations
• Research who local pro teams are working with — it’s often a good indicator

 

Establishing Clear Communication

• Provide clinical context that includes both medical and performance goals
• Ensure information flows both ways — between your team and the specialist

 

Managing Logistics

• Coordinate appointments and follow-ups with precision
• Prepare relevant documentation in advance to minimize friction

 

Maintaining Professional Relationships

• Show respect for their time, process, and protocols
• Be reliable, responsive, and appreciative — great partners get priority care

 

 

What Makes a Great Medical Partner?

It’s not just about credentials — it’s about compatibility with your athlete care model.

Here’s what to look for:

• Sports Expertise: They should understand the pressure, timelines, and stakes of elite sport
• Performance Context Awareness: They need to tailor their advice to the individual, their discipline and performance goals
• Administrative Efficiency: They should be timely with reports, clear with communication, and cooperative with insurance/medical documentation
• Professionalism: No ego, no hierarchy — just collaboration and care

 

 

How to Build and Sustain Your Medical Network

 

Start with Research and Outreach

• Ask peers in your sport or region who they trust
• Search for specialists aligned with professional teams
• Explore clinic websites and practitioner bios for sports experience

 

Initial Contact

• Introduce yourself and outline your team’s care model
• Share what kind of referrals or support you typically need
• Be clear about expectations, timelines, and collaboration style

 

Stay Connected

• Keep specialists updated on athlete outcomes where appropriate
• Share key context ahead of time — especially for complex or high-pressure cases
• Give feedback when things go well (or don’t) to strengthen the relationship

 

 

Planning for the Road: Travel-Specific Networking

 

Pre-Trip Prep

• Research healthcare providers in your travel destinations
• Reach out in advance to establish potential support

 

Build Local Relationships

• Partner with local clinics in frequent tour or comp locations
• When possible, visit these providers to build trust
• Relationships with Practice Managers and administrative leads are crucial

 

Have Emergency Protocols

• Maintain a contact list of medical services near venues
• Identify hospitals, urgent care centers, and specialists in advance
• Document your emergency plans — including local procedures and backup contacts

 

 

Strengthening Engagement with Your Medical Partners

 

Provide Context

• Don’t just send a referral — explain the athlete’s performance demands, timelines, and rehab goals

 

Make Their Job Easy

• Schedule efficiently, send relevant paperwork, and help with admin logistics
• Source incident related videos where possible to provide quality context
• A smooth experience means they’re more likely to help again

 

Express Gratitude

• A handwritten thank-you, a follow-up email, or tickets to an event can go a long way
• Small gestures build long-term loyalty and mutual respect

 

 

Conclusion: Medical Networks Are Part of Your Competitive Advantage

Elite care doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s a web of relationships — and as an HPH leader, you’re the one who weaves that web.

By proactively building and nurturing your external medical network, you ensure your athletes have access to fast, expert care — whether they’re at home or 5,000 km away.

Strong networks don’t just support better outcomes. They elevate your team’s entire care model — building trust, speed, and professionalism into every athlete interaction.

 

Medical Networks is one of the ten pillars for success in human performance healthcare teams.

>Explore the other pillars here

 

 

Are you an effective human performance healthcare leader?

>Complete this 2 minute scorecard to determine your strengths and growth opportunities.

 

References:

• Fletcher, S. N., Breitbach, A. P., & Reeves, S. (2017). Interprofessional collaboration in sports medicine: Findings from a scoping review. Health & Interprofessional Practice
• Breitbach, A. P., & Reeves, S. (2017). Health care as a team sport? Studying athletics to improve interprofessional collaboration. PubMed Central