3 11 2021
New Developments and Trends in Medical Translation Services
After Covid19, there have been several changes in the way medical world operates and functions. This has also impacted medical translation services to great extent in terms of quality and the speed of delivery of the translated projects. One major development has been the huge requirement of medical translators who are knowledgeable and competent to translate the latest developments taking place in the medical sciences at any part of the world. The companies that were in the industry for decades faced the challenges of shortage of medical translators as the pandemic hit the whole world and the requirement for quality medical translation went up.
Another major challenge is not just about the shortage of well qualified medical translators but authentic translation as several of the translations were losing facts in the process. This led to a lot of confusion regarding the pandemic, its causes, treatments, post-treatment complications, etc. There have been huge challenges also in terms of quality of translated work that could be recognized by the regulatory authorities. When a German lab is coming up with breaking revelations, it needs translation in multiple languages so that the medical science could benefit from the all parts of the world. However, lack of great translators hampered the development of the process which should not have happened at the first place for the welfare of the humanity.
Ever Expanding Medical Translation Industry
The Covid19 situation has also prompted for the expansion and horizon of the medical science translation and the requirement from the regulatory bodies for translated material. There is strict guideline regarding the approval submissions and typically when translated from one language to the language that has been approved by the government, it should come with authenticity. Needless to say it requires not just excellent linguistic skills that work in medical translation services but also the temperament and knowledge of the medical sciences to great extent. Translation agencies could play a pivotal role in the following:
- Explain and elaborate Data Sheets obtained in the medical research in multiple languages
- Translate the Production Manuals for various purposes
- They could translate CRA Training Materials & Videos
- Translate and explain Questionnaires and Informed Consent Forms for patients
- Explain and translate Quality of Life measures and Instructions for Use for end users
- Describe Product Labels in multiple languages for end users
- Write Dossiers and Protocols for doctors
- Translate and write Drug Registration Documentation for government bodies
Now, it is crystal clear that apart from the much required linguistic skills, medical translation requires specific training and subject matter knowledge. Hiring a translation agency that has qualified medical science graduates and experienced professionals could make things easier. Only well qualified translators could do justice with medical translation as the job is highly technical, sensitive, and regulated in nature. Whether it is medical product labels or dossiers, medical translation requires not just linguistic expertise but a standard knowledge of medical sciences of specific domains.
Medical Translation for Regulatory Compliance
Certification of translation accuracy is essential and that is a reason that there is huge piling up of translation jobs from around the world. Since medical translation requires precision and up-to-date technical knowledge, not a lot of translators venture into it. At the same time since it requires multiple levels of quality control and a full understanding of medical terms from the translators, it is a difficult job to do. Especially for the US, the European Union and Japan, medical translation has strictly to be under a given guideline as these countries are particular about the whole affair. Not just language should meet the highest level of quality but the translated document must be in adherence and according to the regulatory requirements.
Therefore, whether translating patient case report forms for FDA submission or translating the labels of medicines for the pharmaceutical company, the whole data and document is cross checked by the regulatory authorities for authenticity. Needless to say there can be no compromise where the spheres of language and healthcare regulation converge and that is a reason that the regulatory bodies in America and European Union have strict laws and bylaws wherein they ensure that every medical document that is translated goes through rigor and becomes a testimony of authenticity and accuracy. Following are some areas and segments that are covered well by the translators when it comes to medical translation services:
- Medical Devices Companies
- Clinical Research Organizations (CRO)
- Biotechnology Companies
- Pharmaceutical Research Companies
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing companies
- Labeling Companies for medicines
- Manufacturers of medical and surgical devices
Types of Medical Documents Translation
There are a range of documents that are used in medical sector that could be part of healthcare, government regulation, research etc. The translation services for all such documents could be a daunting task; however, with the help of able translators equally confident on their knowledge in medical sciences it could be made easy. Due diligence is required quite often when it comes to medical translation; however, with multiple layers of quality testing after the translation of a medical document job is done could ensure accuracy and authenticity to the highest levels.
Some major documents used in medical sciences that are being translated these days include Adverse Events Package, Inserts and Labels, Case Report Forms (CRF), Patient Information, etc. All these documents must be translated keeping in mind that the data is sensitive. Similarly, when Clinical Protocols, Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO), Clinical Trials, Production Manuals, etc. are translated, the authenticity and accuracy should be paid higher attention.
Needless to say Dossiers, Protocols, Drug Registration Documentation, etc. too require attention to details from the translators and for this reason alone, a vast network of qualified and experienced translator is required. Whether it is Instructions for Use (IFU) or Manufacturing Process Descriptions the details required should not just be in simple language but at the same time they should be in the manner that the intended persons are able to use them easily. Thus, the whole purpose of medical translation services is to ensure no data loss in the process and there are no ambiguities.
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