Medical and pharmaceutical texts are among the most sensitive tasks that translators face. Even small inaccuracies can have serious consequences. Six criteria that companies can use to find the right partner for the job.
The following tragic case is cited time and again, which is hardly surprising given the serious consequences. In the 1980s, family members brought an unconscious young man to a hospital in Florida. The relatives, who only spoke Spanish, told the attending physician that he was “intoxicado,” meaning “poisoned.” However, the physician interpreted the term as “intoxicated” and decided not to consult a professional translator or conduct a thorough examination of the patient. The result: After the young man had been treated incorrectly for days due to a suspected overdose, the brain hemorrhage that actually caused his condition led to paraplegia.
Fortunately, serious consequences due to translation errors are rare. However, it is safe to assume that linguistic misunderstandings in the medical field can frequently have negative effects on patients. Most of the time, they are simply not severe enough to make the news.
6 criteria: You should demand expertise in the following areas
The enormous responsibility that professional translators of medical texts take on needs no explanation. Even if it is not always a matter of life and death, it always concerns people’s health.
And there is a lot to translate: Medical reports, patient records, studies, research results, pharmaceutical package inserts, manuals for medical devices, marketing authorization applications, and many other documents. It is completely undisputed that machine translation cannot be an option here. Medical terminology is far too specialized and the context far too difficult for artificial intelligence to recognize, which is why it cannot be entrusted with this responsibility.
But how can you tell if a translation service provider is the right one for this delicate task? What skills do specialized translation professionals need to be able to tackle medical translations? For your convenience, we have summarized the most important criteria.
- Speaking the language of medicine
Every field has its own language. It is well known that this is particularly true when it comes to the medical and pharmaceutical field, making it a frequent source of anecdotes and jokes. For translators of medical material, this means that, in addition to excellent proficiency in the target language, they must also be well-versed in the very specific terminology.
Moreover, they must keep up with the constantly changing terminology. Language evolves in parallel to scientific advancements. Correspondingly, new terms are being added and old ones are being replaced by more accurate ones, while others may become obsolete altogether. It is not necessary for translators to have studied medicine, but they do need to understand medical contexts and keep up with current developments.
- Proficiency in related topics
Medical texts often touch on other subject areas. First and foremost, this concerns legal and regulatory compliance: Documents such as drug approvals or device certifications must not only be correct in terms of content but also comply with local and international regulations. Initially, this is the responsibility of the client. However, when it comes to translations, they need a partner who is familiar with the legal factors in the target country of the translation.
Whenever patient data is involved, the issue of data protection also comes into play. When it comes to medical devices, accurate translations also require knowledge of technical terminology. Put simply: Medical translations require more than just medical expertise. Since the various requirements cannot always be met by a single person, a strong interdisciplinary team is an important criterion for picking the right translation agency.
- Translators with cultural sensitivity
Medical topics are highly personal and must be handled with sensitivity, which should be reflected in the language. Different cultures talk and write differently about medical issues. In Europe and the US, it is common to discuss medical topics relatively openly, but this is not the case in other regions. Medical translations must take this into account, especially when it comes to communicating with patients. Prime examples here are topics such as gynecology and obstetrics, or even mental illness.
To make matters worse, different cultural sensitivities are by no means limited to cross-border situations. In any country with a certain proportion of migrants, there is a need for translations of medical reports that consider the various nuances. Conversely, sometimes symptoms are only described in vague terms, and it is the job of good translators or interpreters to interpret them correctly. Managing this task without compromising anyone may be a challenge, but it is also a sign of true professionalism.
- Accuracy adapted to target groups
Not all medical documents are intended for professionals. Some texts, such as package inserts for medications, must also be clearly understandable to laypeople. Translators cannot change a barely legible five-point font, but they can ensure that even people with little education will understand how to use their medication correctly. Consequently, a certain amount of linguistic sensibility is also important here.
- Smart machine support
Machine translations using AI are a no-go in the field of medical translation. Other technologies, however, can be extremely useful here. A translation memory, for example, is an elaborate type of glossary. Once the professional translation of a term or phrase from the source text has been confirmed to be appropriate, the translators automatically receive a corresponding suggestion next time the term or phrase reappears. The result: On top of saving time and money, a translation memory ensures consistent use of terminology and phrasing.
Another helpful tool are terminology databases, in which technical terms in the source and target languages are clearly assigned to each other. Many clients have their own glossaries. Ideally, the service provider will integrate these specifications into their work processes and expand the database together with their client as needed.
- Medical translation with a proven track record
Two additional criteria always apply, regardless of what needs to be translated: You should be cautious with translation service providers that are not certified according to ISO 9001 and ISO 17100. And ultimately, it always comes down to personal chemistry and authentic recommendations.
