Healthcare is a delicate subject matter and it must be taken with the highest degree of care. A wrongly given instruction or a poorly explained health plan can have a serious impact on the health of a patient.

In the US, this is very well understood and there are several regulations that require medical institutions to provide language access services to patients with limited English proficiency. We have years of experience offering Healthcare Translation Services and in this article, we will share with you an overview of what is important to consider when translating Healthcare content.

Understanding Healthcare Translations

Healthcare communications and documents addressed to the patient will contain information that is critical for the receiver: diagnoses, instructions, medication, etc. That is why it is paramount that the patient perfectly understands every piece of information directed at them. The translations need to be patient-focused. A patient-focused translation is simple in its language (5^th to 6^th grade reading level) and ensures that the information and instructions are understood by everybody regardless of their education level.

The tone must be formal, but as warm and friendly as possible. It is important to be professional without losing human touch. We must not forget that we’re addressing a person that might be going through health problems or aiding a relative or close person who needs medical help.

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the US, and institutions in the US will usually translate their documents into what is called “US Spanish”. It is a neutral flavor of Spanish that uses some English rules and conventions that are familiar to Spanish speakers in the US.

Considering that America’s Spanish-speaking immigration comes from different Countries and Regions, sometimes choices need to be made in order to keep terminology as generic as possible.

Tips to getting Healthcare Translations right

Here is a list of points that will guide you through your next Healthcare translation project.

Healthcare content can be a bit repetitive and have some terms and parts such as disclosures that come up frequently across different documents. If that’s the case with the content you need to translate, it may be worth investing in creating a glossary.

A Glossary is a list of very important terms that are carefully translated, reviewed, and approved by the end client, that is to be used by all the translators and editors involved in the project. Creating a glossary isn’t expensive and it is a great tool to ensure quality and consistency.

It is important to have clear instructions regarding Healthcare Plan names: do they need to be translated? And If so, is there a translation that is already approved and in use?

Regarding medication, it is important to determine if drug names need to be translated, if they should be kept in English, or if the translations should use the commercial name.

Phone numbers also require a special mention, it must be clear if, in order to receive attention in their own language, patients need to dial a different phone number than English-speaking patients.

Last but not least, it is always important to have clear instructions for date and number format, since it can be a source of confusion. For example, imagine having a doctor’s appointment on May 6^th, 2021. In English, the date is written as 05/06/2021 (MONTH/DAY/YEAR) while in Latin America it would be written as 06/05/2021 (DAY/MONTH/YEAR). This is just an example of how small details can end up causing problems.

In conclusion

Just like with everything related to healthcare, the most important thing is to put the patient’s needs first.

This is achieved by mentally putting ourselves in the place of a person who is vulnerable and needs medical attention. This person needs to be able to understand what their healthcare plan covers, what their provider’s response to a claim is, the diagnosis they receive, and the medication that has been prescribed.

We hope that you find this information useful and that it helps you in your continuing efforts to take care of your patient’s health and wellbeing.

At Healthcare Translations, we have translated millions of words of Healthcare content and we consider it a subject dear to us. If you have any questions or would like to receive a quote, you can contact us at contact@healthcaretranslations.com

Medical translation is a highly specialized field that continues to grow in demand every year. The healthcare industry relies on clear and precise communication, and when dealing with multiple languages, accuracy is not just important, it is essential. Mistranslations in medical contexts can lead to serious consequences, affecting patient safety, treatment outcomes, and even research advancements. That is why choosing a professional medical translation provider is a decision that should not be taken lightly. With so many translation providers available, it can be difficult to determine which one is best suited to meet your needs. To make an informed choice, several factors should be considered: expertise, cultural awareness, use of specialized tools, and a commitment to continuous learning. Healthcare Translations stands out in all these aspects, ensuring that each translation is not only accurate but also culturally appropriate and easy to understand.

A Deep Understanding of Cultural Sensitivity

Medical translation goes beyond simply converting words from one language to another. It requires an understanding of the cultural and linguistic nuances that influence how information is received. One of the most overlooked aspects of medical translation is cultural sensitivity. Language is deeply connected to culture, and failing to consider these elements can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations. At Healthcare Translations, we provide localization services to ensure that translations are adapted to the cultural background of the target audience. We take into account factors such as idiomatic expressions, local medical terminology, tone, and formalities to make sure the message is not only accurate but also culturally appropriate. Whether translating patient brochures, consent forms, or medical reports, our team ensures that the information is clear, respectful, and relevant to the people who need it most.

Leveraging Technology to Improve Quality and Efficiency

In today’s fast-paced world, medical translation must balance quality with efficiency. At Healthcare Translations, we use Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools, databases, and other resources to enhance accuracy and maintain consistency across all projects. CAT tools allow us to build and utilize translation memories, glossaries, and term bases, which are essential for maintaining coherence in medical terminology across different documents. This not only improves the quality of translations but also helps reduce costs and speed up delivery times. While technology plays a valuable role in our work, it is always combined with human expertise. Automated tools alone are not enough when it comes to medical translations, as context and cultural nuances require professional judgment. Our team ensures that every translated document is carefully reviewed and adapted as needed.

Expertise and a Commitment to Ongoing Learning

Medical translation is a field that demands continuous learning and adaptation. Medical advancements, new research, and evolving terminology require translators to stay updated at all times. At Healthcare Translations, we have assembled a team of professionals with over a decade of experience in medical and healthcare translation. Our specialists not only keep pace with industry changes but also work to ensure that complex medical information is translated into clear, accessible language that both professionals and non-specialists can understand. Each project presents unique challenges, whether it involves highly technical content for specialists or simplified instructions for patients. Our team carefully analyzes every document to ensure that the final translation is faithful to the original text while remaining easy to understand. The goal is always to provide reliable and meaningful translations that serve their intended purpose.

A Proven Track Record of Success

Healthcare Translations has worked with clients across various sectors of the medical and healthcare industry. Our experience includes collaborations with pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, healthcare providers, research institutions, and individual patients seeking assistance with medical documentation. Some of the documents we have translated include:

• DNA test results and genetic analysis reports
• Medical reports for children with disabilities and disorders
• Patient discharge instructions after hospitalization
• Information brochures on topics such as nutrition, breastfeeding, and disease prevention
• Consent forms for medical procedures and data privacy agreements
• Instructions for medical devices, including infusion pumps and ventilators

No matter the complexity of the document, our approach remains the same: accuracy, clarity, and cultural relevance.

Why Choose Healthcare Translations?

Healthcare Translations is more than just a translation provider; we are a dedicated partner in bridging language barriers in the medical field. With a strong focus on precision, cultural sensitivity, and efficiency, we ensure that critical medical information is conveyed accurately and effectively. Whether you are a healthcare professional, researcher, or patient in need of medical translation services, our team is committed to delivering translations that you can trust. By combining industry expertise with cutting-edge tools and a deep understanding of cultural differences, we provide solutions that truly meet the needs of the medical community. When accuracy and reliability matter most, Healthcare Translations is the right choice for your medical translation needs.

It’s an unavoidable fact of life: However unpleasant it may be, eventually we all fall sick, suffer an accident, or otherwise need health services that require us to go to a Hospital or Clinic.

Now put yourself in the place of an immigrant who is not fluent in English. You will find yourself in a vulnerable position as everybody around you speaks a language you don’t understand. Critical aspects of Healthcare like communicating symptoms, receiving instructions for check-ups, giving consent, understanding the diagnosis, or being able to understand recommendations and prescriptions, now become huge obstacles.

Here is where Linguistic Services turn vital, and sadly this isn’t an exaggeration. There are documented cases where faulty or non-existent linguistic services resulted in deaths.

Fortunately, in the United States, persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have the right to receive language accessibility services. There is a significant legal framework for these rights, starting with the 1964 Civil Rights Act (Title VI) and including, among others, the Executive Order (EO) 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency. This resulted in the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Policy Guidance.

There are four factors that medical providers should consider when determining the extent and types of language assistance needed.

• The number or proportion of LEP persons served or eligible to be served: the greater the number or proportion of LEP persons, the more likely language services are needed.
• Frequency of contact: the more frequent the contact with a particular language group, the more likely it is that interpreting or translating services are needed in that language.
• The more important the recipient’s service or program, the more likely language services are needed.
• The Guidance states that “smaller recipients with more limited budgets are not expected to provide the same level of language services as larger recipients with larger budgets. (…) Large entities and those entities serving a significant number or proportion of LEP persons should ensure that their resource limitations are well-substantiated before using this factor as a reason to limit language assistance.”

If the institution accepts Medicare (Part A or C) or Medicaid patients, it cannot avoid its obligation to provide language access services. Please note that even if it does not accept Medicare or Medicaid, it may still be required to provide these services under state law.

Even though it is a legal requirement, healthcare providers have the chance of going beyond the law requirements and doing what is best for their patients.

That includes supporting as many languages as needed, working with qualified language professionals, and evaluating the performance of language providers continuously.

We started this article by explaining the situation of an immigrant facing the challenge of going to a hospital while having Limited English Proficiency. That story can have a happy ending if the hospital gives the patient the opportunity to effectively communicate with the medical staff.

An additional important benefit of robust language support is the ability to send doctors translated versions of the patients’ clinical histories, and we must not forget how important it is to allow patients to provide informed consent. After all, can patients consent to something they don’t understand?

Language Services have quickly become an integral aspect of Healthcare. As demographic trends continue, it is up to the institutions to be up to the challenge and provide services that have the best interest of their patients as their main priority.

At Healthcare Translations, we provide healthcare translation services for written content such as brochures, informed consents, marketing materials, transcription, and subtitles.

SOURCES:

“The Legal Framework for Language Access in Healthcare Settings: Title VI and Beyond” by Alice Hm Chen, MD, MPH, Mara K. Youdelman, JD, LLM, and Jamie Brooks, JD: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2150609/

“Are Your Services Accessible to All?” by Daneen Grooms, MHSA and Carol Polovoy: https://leader.pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/leader.FTR2.22112017.54