Club, country and clinicians united : ensuring collaborative care in elite sport medical handovers

Abstract

Medical handovers are fundamental to optimal patient care but can be a source of errors in clinical care with important implications on patient welfare and safety. Care of international athletes presents unique challenges to open and effective communication between medical teams. Handover of complete medical records should occur with athlete consent between medical teams on the transfer of an athlete between clubs. There are currently no specific guidelines or published recommendations advising sports and exercise medicine clinicians about medical handovers. The aim of this editorial is to provide a checklist of recommendations for the handover of elite athlete care between clubs and national medical and sports science teams, with lessons shared from professional football (soccer).