Common Challenges In Medical Translation For UK Hospitals And Clinics

Key Challenges In Medical Translation For UK Hospitals And Clinics

Complexity Of Medical Terminology 

One of the complex aspects of medical translation is its terminology because a slight variation in the word can affect the patient’s treatment. However, the terminologies tend to be related to the source language; words often don’t directly correlate with the target language. So, the translators have to choose the best word to use. Each area has terminologies specific to the medical condition. It is essential to ensure the patient is paired with the translator, a subject matter expert in the medical sector. 

Eponyms Pose A Challenge

Another unique challenge is that many medical terms involve the use of eponyms. It can include medical conditions like 

• Lou Gehrig’s disease 
• Parkinson’s disease 
• Alzheimer’s disease

When translating eponyms, their counterparts in the target language might also be eponymous. Therefore, there might not be an equivalent phrase in the target language, making it difficult to find a replacement word. 

Abbreviations 

You might have noticed that almost all medical documents contain acronyms and abbreviations. Most of the time, they don’t translate, meaning the linguist must be well-versed in the field of medical to accurately translate them. However, translators who don’t understand will likely make mistakes when translating the acronyms or abbreviations. 

Other Types Of Language Issues 

Some words and phrases can be problematic for the translators. Medical documents use terms like pulmonary embolism and heart failure. When translating these phrases, the linguist must ensure they don’t lose meaning. Some terms involve the use of prefixes and suffixes. Using them incorrectly would change the entire word’s meaning.  Even just a simple change in translation can make the patient suffer. 

So, it is essential to hire a professional translation service.

Importance Of Professional Medical Translation Services 

Healthcare translation services have a vital role in the UK. There are many reasons why they are an indispensable part of patient care.

Ease Of Communication 

This is one of the major benefits of hiring translation and interpreting services for healthcare. When patients go for medical treatment, it can make them nervous as they don’t speak the same language. However, it can make the situation worse. However, medical interpreters and translators act as a bridge between the doctor and the patient. From discussing treatment plans and dietary needs to treatment guidelines, a team of medical translators can increase the chances of a successful treatment. 

Elimination Of Misinformation 

Qualified medical translators hold the highest degree and are trained to read between the lines. They know how to convey sensitive information to the patient and be transparent. This reduces the risk of misinformation and eliminates any misguidance or incorrect course of treatment. 

Understand Cultural Nuances 

A professional and qualified medical translator and interpreter strongly understand cultural nuances and sensitivities. While translating sensitive information about treatment, they pick up nonverbal cues like postures or gestures to communicate the information accurately and without offence. This helps the healthcare provider and patient understand each other and reduce the risk of misunderstanding a diagnosis and treatment plan. 

If you want to know the role of technology in medical translation, click the link. 

Address Satisfaction

There is nothing worse than struggling with a disease and having the doctor dismiss what the patient is feeling. A professional medical translator addresses patients’ concerns compassionately and calms them while communicating a treatment plan or diagnosis. 

The medical document translation experts have a broader reach than simple interpreting languages. They bring important information to patients and healthcare providers in a transparent and culturally sensitive way. Delivering inaccurate document translation can often be a life-or-death situation. Here are the types of medical documents that need to be translated:

• Medical reports with patient history, diagnostic findings, and treatment details
• Case report forms that collect clinical trial data
• Clinical trial protocols, treatment guidelines, and research methodologies. 
• Informed consent forms translation where patients are advised of their rights and risks before undergoing medical procedures 
• Visual aids used to illustrate medical presentations at conferences or court proceedings
• Clinical trial papers that include study protocols, patient information data, and reports of adverse events

Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) translation is another critical document provided to patients by healthcare professionals. It contains information about medication, procedures, treatments, and medical conditions. Accurate translation of these leaflets is essential for the following reasons:

• Patients must understand their medications’ dosage, side effects, and risks to make informed decisions.
• Hiring experts is important to avoid language barriers causing misunderstandings and the incorrect use of drugs. 
• Translated PILs consider cultural nuances, ensuring patients from diverse backgrounds receive appropriate content. 
• Healthcare providers have specific legal and ethical considerations in medical translation, so they must ensure their translated leaflets are accurate and meet these obligations.

Get our medical translation services now. We have native translators who can help you with medical interpreting services. So get in touch now. 

Conclusion

The medical field is vast, so understanding each term requires interpretation and translation services for communication between patients and healthcare providers. This is why expert medical interpreters are necessary in every hospital and private clinic. Translations.co.uk is a certified medical translation service that offers specialist translation and interpretation services in 150+ languages. Our team of qualified translators can help you with healthcare website translation, pharmaceutical translation, clinical documentation translation, and medical training manual translation at an affordable price.