Healthcare Translation Services

In the field of healthcare and medical translation, one of the primary challenges is the intricate nature of medical terminologies. Healthcare translators are required to possess a deep understanding of medical classifications, such as the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) and the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP). These classifications serve as essential frameworks for categorizing and documenting medical conditions, procedures, and interventions.

To ensure accurate and precise translations, medical translators are advised to steer clear of ambiguous terms that possess multiple meanings. Colloquial phrases and jargon should also be avoided, as they can lead to misinterpretations and misunderstandings. It is crucial for translators to maintain clarity and employ language that is easily comprehensible for both healthcare professionals and patients.
However, medical translation often encounters terminological gaps, where there may not be an exact equivalent term in the target language. In such cases, translators are recommended to translate the source term into a set of words using its definition. This approach helps bridge the linguistic gap and ensures that the intended meaning is effectively conveyed.
In addition to linguistic accuracy, medical translators must also prioritize patient-centeredness and ease of understanding, particularly when translating documents like the Informed Consent Form (ICF) or Informed Consent Document (ICD). These documents explain the nature of medical procedures that patients or clinical trial participants will undergo. According to the Declaration of Helsinki, every patient or study participant must be informed about the risks associated with their treatment.
To comply with this requirement, patients need to receive the ICD in their native language. The translated text should be clear, comprehensible, and accessible to all individuals. Readability and patient-centeredness are crucial in the case of informed consent forms, as any ambiguity undermines the concept of “informed consent” and violates the provisions set forth in the Declaration of Helsinki.
By navigating the complexities of medical terminologies, adhering to translation guidelines, and prioritizing patient-centered translations, medical translators play a crucial role in ensuring effective communication and understanding within the healthcare field.

Ensuring the highest quality of medical translations is paramount due to the potential clinical consequences they carry. Different institutions and organizations have their own processes and methodologies for evaluating the translation quality of medical software and documents, aiming to minimize errors and inaccuracies that may compromise patient safety and understanding.
One frequently utilized but debatable method of translation review is back-translation. However, the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) advises against relying solely on back-translation as a verification method. The reason is that it may not capture the nuanced contextual and usage aspects of the target language or identify awkward literal translations. Despite the concerns, blind back-translation is frequently employed in quality assurance, particularly in medical research and clinical trials, as it is often required by Ethics Committees and regulatory authorities in various countries.
Institutions that handle translated texts develop their own medical translation verification procedures to meet specific requirements. For example, the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) mandates two verifications, while the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) employs a review method involving two parallel forward translations, reconciliation, two back-translations, comparison and reconciliation, followed by a review and harmonization of the target text. Another quality assurance method is parallel translation, where two independent translations are produced, compared, and adjusted if necessary.
The translation of instruments such as questionnaires or scales can undergo verification through cognitive debriefing. This process involves collecting feedback from a sample group to evaluate their understanding of the wording of questions or statements, ensuring readability and lay-friendliness while reflecting the original concept.
It is crucial to emphasize that while quality control measures may vary, selecting a reliable translation agency that implements transparent and rigorous quality assurance procedures is of utmost importance. This ensures the delivery of the highest quality translations and helps avoid potential complications that could arise from inaccurate or misleading medical translations.
By prioritizing robust quality assurance measures, healthcare institutions, researchers, and regulatory authorities can ensure accurate and reliable medical translations that uphold patient safety, comprehension, and adherence to regulatory standards.

Medical interpreters face the complex task of adhering to the established Medical Interpreting Standards of Practice while encountering circumstances that may require them to deviate from their traditional roles. This challenge demands a delicate balance of experience, expertise, and ethical decision-making to ensure effective communication and optimal patient care.
The Medical Interpreting Standards of Practice encompass three key areas:
1. Accuracy:

Interpreters strive to enable precise understanding between speakers. They faithfully convey all messages without altering or excluding any content, even if it may seem redundant, irrelevant, or impolite. Interpreters replicate the register, style, and tone of the speaker unless there is no equivalent in the patient’s language, in which case they seek clarification or simpler explanations. They inform all parties that everything said will be interpreted and manage communication flow by requesting pauses or slower speech when necessary. Any errors in interpretation are promptly corrected, and interpreters openly acknowledge the need for clarification.
2. Confidentiality:

Maintaining confidentiality is essential in healthcare interactions to preserve trust and respect privacy. Interpreters treat all information obtained during their professional duties as confidential within the treating team, following applicable disclosure regulations. They prioritize confidentiality and refrain from sharing information outside the treating team without patient consent or legal obligations. Interpreters avoid discussing a patient’s case with family or community members without explicit permission and ensure that written patient information remains protected.
3. Impartiality:

Interpreters uphold a neutral and unbiased stance, free from personal preferences or judgments. They avoid expressing personal feelings through their words, tone of voice, or body language. Interpreters disclose any potential conflicts of interest and may withdraw from assignments if necessary, such as when interpreting for a family member or close friend. Upholding impartiality allows interpreters to approach their work with fairness and objectivity.
While medical interpreters strive to adhere to these standards, they often encounter situations that challenge their ability to do so. One common deviation arises when interpreters receive requests from healthcare providers or clinic staff for additional tasks beyond their traditional roles. These requests may occur when patients are unable to read or write, seem to have difficulty understanding information, require a witness for medical procedures, or when there is a pre-existing relationship between the interpreter and the provider or clinic.
As a result, interpreters are sometimes asked to perform tasks that extend beyond interpretation alone. For example, they may assist patients in filling out paperwork, explain complex consent forms, accompany patients to medical procedures, or find ways to help patients better understand certain medical matters. While these tasks aim to facilitate effective communication and patient comprehension, they can blur the boundaries of the interpreter’s role and introduce potential challenges in maintaining impartiality and confidentiality.
Another common situation occurs when interpreters have a history with the healthcare provider or clinic, leading to requests for assistance in various aspects of patient care. For instance, providers may ask interpreters to provide explanations or clarifications in the laboratory setting. These situations can put interpreters in a challenging position as they engage in conversations with patients that may involve discussions about their current health situation, further exposure of health information, or patient requests. Such requests often take interpreters out of their usual roles and place them in a difficult position during subsequent appointments with the provider.
Interpreters’ familiarity with providers, either through previous work or long-standing relationships, can also impact their ability to maintain a neutral role. This familiarity sometimes leads providers to make requests that go beyond the established boundaries of medical interpreting, compromising the standards in place. Providers may ask interpreters to modify their statements to make them more understandable or to explain procedures themselves, knowing that the interpreter is familiar with the topic. Consequently, when interpreters are acquainted with the provider and the healthcare issue, there is a higher likelihood of deviating from the established role boundaries of medical interpreting. This also increases the risk of interpreters sharing significant health-related information without oversight or review for accuracy.
Furthermore, interpreters may deviate from their roles based on their personal goals or the desire to address specific challenges. They may intentionally change the message between the patient and provider, going against the established standards. For example, interpreters may aim to improve clarity, advocate for the patient, bring in outside knowledge, or maintain positive relationships between patients and providers. In these situations, interpreters may soften offensive language, adjust emotional tones, or explain the patient’s response to the provider. While these deviations may arise from good intentions, they do challenge the impartiality and accuracy standards set for medical interpreting.
Navigating these deviations is a complex task for medical interpreters, requiring them to carefully balance their role boundaries and the preservation of patient confidentiality. Interpreters must exercise sound judgment and decision-making to maintain effective communication while upholding the principles of accuracy, confidentiality, and impartiality. By addressing these challenges, medical interpreters contribute to the facilitation of accurate, confidential, and impartial communication, enhancing the patient-provider relationship and ensuring culturally sensitive care.