Why are medical translation services growing in demand?
We often dismiss or underestimate the negative power of misinterpretation. At its worst, we convince ourselves, its impact is a slight inconvenience. Maybe a relationship turns sour, or a business deal goes south. Someone might goes further to say that these misinterpretation things are not trivial matters by any means, but, at the same time, they are not such a fearsome jolt. Well, you might feel differently after you find out about the story of Rana Abdelkarim. Ms Abdelkarim was forced to uproot her life from her hometown in Sudan and relocate to Gloucestershire, where she would meet her husband and welcome their firstborn. All was going well until, in 2021, she had to pay a visit to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, being pregnant with her second child.
At that point, Ms Abdelkarim was under the assumption that she was going through a routine series of tests, the kind usually carried out at this stage of pregnancy. She was mistaken. Due to a poorly established translation and interpretation policy, the hospital ended up inducing labour. More complications soon ensued. Vital communication went mistranslated all over again, and Ms Abdelkarim lost her life. She lost it for that.
She is neither the first nor the last victim of mistranslation in the healthcare industry. The BBC reports as many as 80 hospital deaths resulting from erroneous translations between 2018 and 2022 in the UK alone.
Hospital-patient communication is vital and non-negotiable, as it pertains to matters of life and death. One small clerical error can induce panic; one false diagnosis can hinder a patient’s life expectancy; and one misguided course of treatment can trigger severe symptoms, even fatality. The ramifications of unskilled translation in these contexts are not to be trifled with, to be sure
Professional medical translation services help prevent such disastrous scenarios. A major category within language services, medical translation has a wide range of applications. Important documents like prescriptions, medical records, and patient histories, can be converted into a language the patient or the healthcare provider understands.
Naturally, a strong case can be made for reliable medical translation services in a diverse city like Dubai.
What distinguishes medical translation as a specialised service?
Besides the previously mentioned areas, the more substantial applications of medical translation are found in clinical trial reports, consent forms, healthcare research and surveys, telemedicine, instruction manuals, protocol compilations, and other similar documentation.
Translation services, in general, are a skill-based and layered practice. Within this realm, medical translation services occupy an even more complex and niche space because of their impact on human wellness. It is not limited to a source and a target language alone, but involves the clearer expression of complex medical terminology as well.
Take, for instance, a pharmaceutical presentation. Leading drug developers may conduct cross-country trials and submit their reports to a regulatory body. Every individual partaking in this process – study subjects, scholars, scientists, manufacturers, investigators, and sponsors– must be cognizant of their role. Only then can the results satisfy an ethical review board or a regulator. How is this ensured, especially given the scale of multinationals involved? The answer is transparent communication aided by skilled translation.
A skilled medical translator will be able to read, write, speak, and understand conventional languages while also possessing a strong grasp of scientific medical information. They should be able to render clinical information in lay terms while retaining the essence of the original text, and also appreciating the medical context of another culture. Additionally, they should be able to adapt their wording as needed in sensitive circumstances.
How does medical translation keep healthcare operations secure?
We have already established how catastrophic or even deadly a subpar translation service can be in the healthcare context. Any slip in the linguistic process can trigger undue delays or advancements of procedures, risking multiple human lives at the same time.
Here are some ways in which medical translation services can prevent serious operational disruptions:
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Patient safety and awareness
A clearly explained diagnosis and course of treatment in the target language are mandatory for a patient’s welfare. Instructions for self-administration of medicines at home need to be distinctly stated, especially in instances where the patient resides remotely. Similarly, a doctor needs a comprehensive understanding of their patient’s medical history in order to proceed with their expert opinion. When such documentation is made plain and accessible for all concerned parties, the treatment becomes more effective on an operational level.
This need becomes even more emphasised when it pertains to foreign patients seeking medical attention in Dubai. Whether or not they are fluent in Arabic, they need to be made aware of their appointment schedules, treatment logistics, and insurance plans. Enlisting the services of a medical translator is not only beneficial but a necessity at that point.
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Referral treatment across language borders
When it comes to patients from a vast array of ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, the hospital must anticipate and be able to act on a variety of needs and arrangements. In many of these instances, the patient’s documentation from previous treatment is likely to be in their native language. All such documentation will need to undergo an attentive process of translation before it reaches the hands of the relevant healthcare personnel.
Let us also consider a situation in which the patient is returning to their homeland to continue treatment. If the language followed there is different, or if the specialist there is of a different linguistic background, the need for translation arises yet again. In more complex cases, it is apparently required to have an ongoing communication across borders between specialists in order to keep the patient in the loop. At this point, the matter is no longer limited to languages. Socio-cultural differences also come into play. Another element to consider is the extent of information to be revealed to the patient at the right time, having both legal rights and medical ethics as guidelines.
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Legal matters in the context of healthcare
The medical and healthcare industries need to work in close cooperation with the legal system of the region in which they operate. A consent form needs to be drafted with transparency and relevant terms for the patient to comprehend. When incorrectly translated, a patient’s rights can be compromised, leading to lawsuits.
Reliable medical translation services protect both the patient and the hospital from inadvertent errors. Both parties bear legal obligations, privileges, and responsibilities. Both parties can be held accountable for mistakes. In such contexts, a responsibly documented paper trail can make all the difference in seeking justice.
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Meeting the marketing needs of healthcare groups
The success of a healthcare setup relies greatly on the goodwill it earns. As such, its image is built brick by brick, taking into account its vision and mission. Right from its inception, there is a need for its purpose to be echoed in different languages. Promotional materials must cast a far-reaching, multilingual message. Press releases must accurately notify the public of their intentions. Awareness campaigns must effectively caution people in times of illness outbreaks. Any new outreach or educational programme they initiate must be announced in a timely and impactful manner. It goes without saying that a strong linguistic foundation is integral in each of these examples of mass communication.
Why choose Al Resala Legal Translation Services?
- Qualified professionals: Skilled and certified translators with extensive knowledge of medical information stand ready for your unique needs.
- Confidentiality: All medical documents are treated with utmost diligence. Secure handling of confidential data is always guaranteed.
- International standards: Our culture-conscious approach ensures a proportionate global reach of the message you wish to convey. We are also adept at representing individuals and collectives within the healthcare context. Furthermore, our informed staff are proficient in managing any material that needs to meet international regulatory requirements.
- Accuracy: Subscribing to our services implies a refusal to settle for anything sub-standard. The keenness with which we treat your translation needs removes all chances of discrepancy. We do not compromise on quality and are yet respectful of timelines. Since we understand the significance of quick turnarounds in health-related contexts, we aim to impress with quality and efficiency.
- Wide range of services: We translate all types of medical documents. Rest assured.. Moreover, we help you navigate these services by closely understanding your specific demands.
To conclude, medical translation services are growing in demand, and we know exactly where you can get a certified and trusted medical translator. Whether you are a healthcare provider, pharmaceutical company, or research organisation, Al Resala Legal Translation Services in Dubai and Abu Dhabi can help you fulfil your medical translation needs with top quality and fast delivery. We do that.
