Thao & Co. Healthcare Translation Services

Healthcare Translation Services

Break down language barriers in healthcare with Thao & Co.! Our top-notch healthcare translation services are here to help. Trust in our quality, industry expertise, and commitment to confidentiality. We understand the challenges of healthcare translation and have the solutions you need.
What is healthcare translation?
Healthcare translation, or medical translation, is the crucial process of accurately translating various medical documents, from patient records to research papers and drug labels. It also encompasses medical interpretation, enabling effective communication between healthcare providers and patients who speak different languages.
Thao & Co. Healthcare Translation
What are the challenges of healthcare translation?
Healthcare translation and interpretation present significant challenges in terms of medical terminologies, translation quality, and navigating the dynamics between patients and healthcare providers.
Medical translators must navigate complex medical terminologies and ensure patient-centered translations.
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.
Quality assurance in medical translation is essential to prevent clinical consequences.
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 have to adhere to standards while managing deviations, balancing role boundaries, confidentiality, impartiality, and patient care.
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.
Content types
Thao & Co. Device Manuals
Thao & Co. Clinical Trial
Thao & Co. Consultation
Thao & Co. Website
Thao & Co. Policies
Thao & Co. Medical Record
Thao & Co. Guideline
Thao & Co. Drug Insert
Our solutions
Thao & Company specializes in healthcare translation services. We understand the complexities involved in healthcare translation and have a dedicated team of experienced medical translators and interpreters. Our rigorous quality assurance process guarantees the highest level of quality, and we also offer an Expert Review© service upon request. Contact us today to discuss your healthcare translation requirements and experience the difference our expertise can make.
FAQs
Thao & Co. Service Support
Do you provide translations for clinical trials?
Answer:
Yes, Thao & Co. provides specialized translations for clinical trials. We understand the unique characteristics and requirements involved in translating materials for clinical trial translations.
•   Precision and attention to detail are crucial in clinical trial translations. Our translators pay meticulous attention to scientific terminology, study protocols, informed consent forms, adverse event reporting, and other critical documents to ensure accurate representation of the original content.
•   Clinical trials involve multinational collaboration and require translations in multiple languages. We have a network of linguists who specialize in various languages, ensuring accurate and culturally appropriate translations for each target audience.
•   Our rigorous quality assurance process ensures that translations undergo thorough review and verification, guaranteeing accuracy, consistency, and adherence to industry standards.
•   We understand the sensitivity of clinical trial data and the importance of confidentiality. Our translation process includes strict data security measures to protect the confidentiality of all information shared with us.
How do you ensure precise medical translation?
Answer:
At Thao & Co., we ensure precise medical translations through a combination of key factors. We recruit experienced medical translators with deep knowledge of the field, implement a rigorous quality control process, and offer an Expert Review© service upon request for added assurance. Our commitment to accuracy and attention to detail ensures that your clinical trial translations are of the highest quality. Please feel free to reach out to us via our Get a Quote page for any further information or specific translation requirements.
What is Expert Review©? How does it work?
Answer:
With our Expert Review© service, we take an extra step to ensure the accuracy and quality of your medical content translations. As our linguists work on translating your medical materials, a specialized medical expert, such as a pharmacist, doctor, nurse, healthcare provider, or a professional from the pharmaceutical industry, reviews the translation concurrently.
This process guarantees that the translation adheres to medical terminology, maintains consistency, and meets the highest standards of accuracy. We carefully select the most relevant experts based on the specific content and your unique translation requirements. If you have any more questions or wish to proceed with our Expert Review© service, please let us know via our Get a Quote page.
What is the fee for Expert Review©? How long does it take?
Answer:
The timeframe for the review process depends on the volume of work, typically ranging from 1-2 weeks. While the fee for this service is higher than our standard linguistic review, we assure you that it is worth the investment. Our Expert Review© ensures an additional layer of quality and accuracy in your medical translations, thanks to the involvement of specialized medical experts.
If you have specific documents or projects in mind, please provide us with more details via our Get a Quote page so that we can provide you with a more accurate timeline and pricing information.
Do you provide medical interpretation?
Answer:
Yes, Thao & Co. offers comprehensive medical interpretation services to meet all your needs.
Our skilled interpreters are experienced in both simultaneous and consecutive interpretation, ensuring effective communication in various settings such as medical conferences, meetings with potential partners or suppliers, and consultations at hospitals.
We provide flexibility in our interpretation services, offering both on-site interpretations for in-person events and remote interpretation via Zoom or over the phone for online meetings. This allows us to cater to your specific requirements and provide seamless language support regardless of the location or format of the event.
If you have any specific requests or upcoming events that require our medical interpretation services, please provide us with the necessary details via our Get a Quote page, and we will be happy to assist you further.
What should I keep in mind when booking medical interpretation services?
Answer:
While screening the resumes of our medical interpreters is crucial, it’s equally important to prepare and brief them before the event or session. Most medical interpreters possess broad knowledge across various healthcare disciplines, but a thorough briefing will ensure a successful and smooth interpretation.
By briefing them thoroughly, clients can prevent any unexpected situations and enable interpreters to prepare the appropriate word choices and address any specific matters, avoiding potential surprises during the session. Together, we can ensure a seamless and effective interpretation experience.
What is the difference between simultaneous and consecutive medical interpretations?
Answer:
Simultaneous and consecutive interpretations serve different purposes in medical settings.
•   Simultaneous interpretation is used for large conferences or events where the interpreter speaks simultaneously with the speaker, providing real-time translation through headsets.
•   Consecutive interpretation, on the other hand, involves the interpreter translating after the speaker pauses, making it suitable for one-on-one consultations or smaller meetings.
Both methods have their advantages, and we can help determine which is best for your specific needs to ensure clear and accurate communication. Visit our Get a Quote page and provide your project information, we will get back to you as soon as we can!
Do you provide medical transcription services?
Answer:
Yes, we offer transcriptions of medical content for various purposes, including court proceedings, legal matters, and other business needs. To cater to different types of content, we have developed specific transcription forms. You can easily access these forms on our Transcription page, allowing you to select the appropriate form that aligns with your requirements.
We are committed to delivering high-quality transcriptions that meet your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via our Get a Quote page if you have any questions or need further assistance.
Do you provide certified/notarized medical translations for hospital tenders and other medical tender documents?
Answer:
Yes, we offer certified and notarized medical translations for hospital tenders and other medical tender documents. Our translations meet the highest industry standards and are accompanied by the necessary certifications and notarizations to ensure their validity.
For more information on our certified and notarized translation services, visit our Certified + Notarized Translation page. If you have any specific requirements or questions, please feel free to contact us via our Get a Quote page.
Do you translate brochures, leaflets, and packaging of medical products?
Answer:
Yes, our translation services extend to the translation of brochures, leaflets, and packaging materials for medical products. Additionally, we offer a Desktop Publishing (DTP) service that ensures the translated materials are formatted professionally and ready for print or digital distribution. If you have any specific requirements or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us via our Get a Quote page. We look forward to helping you with your medical product translation needs.
I am a marketing manager at a global pharmaceutical firm. We regularly need translations for our blog articles, social media platforms, and other marketing materials. We are in need of a trusted translation partner.
Answer:
You came to the right place! We are delighted to offer our services as your trusted translation partner for your regular translation needs.
At Thao & Co., we understand the importance of efficient workflows and saving your valuable time. That’s why we have developed a unique workflow for on-going translation projects.
Upon partnering with us, you will receive a personalized account, granting you access to our proprietary platform. From your Dashboard, you can effortlessly add content for translation, communicate with our expert team through our ChatBox©, download completed translations, and track progress in real-time.
We are committed to providing you with a seamless and convenient experience. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via our Get a Quote page if you have any questions or need further assistance.
Professional Translation and Localization Services in Vietnam
Where Precision Meets Quality Standards
Get in touch
Let us know how we can help!
Our languages
English
English
Vietnamese
Vietnamese
Chinese
Chinese
Korean
Korean
Japanese
Japanese
Other Languages
Other Languages
Our industries
Healthcare
We provide accurate translations of items such as clinical instructions, medical records, articles, product labels and questionnaires.
Advertising + Marketing
Get your message across in any language when we translate your informational materials, instructions and simple promotional content.
Banking + Finance
As you tap new markets, we can translate sales materials, emails, job applications, CVs, legal documents, and entire banking/trading platforms and apps.
Legal
Get fast, precise translation of legal documents, contracts, memos, emails and other forms of communication.
Real Estate + Construction
Our translators have sufficient familiarity with architecture, construction, real estate and civil engineering to help translate relevant documents.
Retail + E-commerce
If you’re selling to global markets, let us translate your sales materials, company announcements and meeting minutes for your international partners.
Travel + Tourism
We can provide general translation of content for internal communications and customer-facing text for hotels, restaurants, travel guides and more.
Entertainment
Relying on our experience translating films, plays and commercials, we give careful attention to word selection and meaning in every project.
Automotive + Aerospace
Look to our specialized linguists to translate and localize user guides, CAD drawings, repair manuals and business contracts.
Manufacturing
Get precise translation of technical terminology whether for instructions, safety, quality control or regulatory compliance.
Manufacturing
Explore new markets for your games once we translate the rules, instructions, storyline, dialog, graphics and technical details.
Education
Empower global education with our translation and localization services. Available for academic transcripts, diplomas, degrees, certificates, websites, apps, and more.
Technology
Our expert localization services are here to get your tech materials, websites, apps, software and other digital products into new markets.
Ready to take the next step? Tell us about your project.

Get a quote