Keys to Medical Success in Baseball

Medical Risk Assessment

Medical Risk Assessments are the cornerstone of understanding players that have medical risks that are worthwhile and players that have risks that should be avoided.  This consists initially of identifying and evaluating specific risk factors to your current players as well as to any potential trade or free agent signings.  This is done with a complete Medical Risk Assessment. If done accurately and systematically, this will allow a front office to measure risk in their roster and avoid high-risk / low reward players.  Essentially we offer the tools to avoid players who have low probability of staying healthy during the term of their contracts.  Alternatively you would have the ability to select a player who has comparable skills that demonstrates less risk.  This is a critical part of roster development and management and our services would make this a fluid process. Much like an investment portfolio, some players with high risk and high potential reward are acceptable for specific reasons, but a roster full of high risk can be potentially devastating.  Injuries are not all chance happenings while many can be predicted.  Some can be mitigated but it is important to have reserve players within the organization if the risk comes to fruition.  
​

Communication

One of the many downfalls of any program is lack of organized communication to notify and update key people of current injury status. The EMR (MLB’s Electronic Medical Records system) has the ability to do this but proper notification and injury note content are often lacking.  Developing a concise and reproducible communication system that provides real time information is crucial.  Many times this is assumed and there are critical gaps in the communication.  Prognosis and return to competition timelines need to be developed and consistent with real time updates as things change.  This allows the front office to have the most current information to manage the roster on a minute’s notice. 

Medical Staff

The second critical aspect of a successful club is the philosophy and structure of the medical staff.  Not only the specific individuals who make up the medical team but also their credentials, experience levels and treatment philosophies. It is essential to have the right people in the right places doing the right things as a team.   Making sure the organization’s philosophy is carried out is imperative..  For example, is Strength and Conditioning just for performance enhancement or also for injury prevention? There is no right or wrong answer to these questions but rather deciding the priorities set by the front office. 
​

Physicians

Physicians are the focal point of the Medical Department.  What are the team’s expectations and needs from a team physician? What medical specialties should be included (orthopedist, internal medicine, etc)?  Is it a priority to have professional baseball experience?  Can a team physician in the NFL be a good baseball team physician? How do you select the right ones and how should they interact with the medical staff and front office? What about second opinions and how should they be handled?  These questions and more need to be answered prior to selecting a team physician.  We have experience in all of these areas. ​

 Services Provided

1. Medical Risk Assessments
    a. Current 40 man players 
    b. Free Agents
    c. Trades
    d. Amateur Draft 
    e. Minor League Prospects

2. Assist in Medical Department structure and hiring process

3. Rehab Program Development and Treatments

4. Provide up-to-date research to the medical and front office staff on injury data specific to professional baseball

5. Assist the medical department in decision making on injury diagnosis and treatment on complicated or uncommon injuries
​
6. Develop a second opinion list of local and national physicians specific to the particular injury and needs of the player.