Did you know that Emperor Ashoka who ruled the Maurya Empire in Ancient India during the 3rd century BCE fell seriously ill after the Kalinga War? The bloody conflict resulted in a great loss of life and despite the efforts of his court physicians the Emperor’s condition did not improve. It is said that a Buddhist monk from the Greek Kingdom of Gandhara (North-East Afghanistan at that time) known as Upagupta was summoned to attend to Ashoka. His guidance and medicinal remedies are believed to have contributed to Ashoka’s recovery.
Similarly, King Chandragupta in the 4th
century BCE, sought the medical expertise of Greek physician Deimachus who was
renowned for his knowledge of medicine.
During the Middle Ages Arabic-speaking
scholars translated ancient Greek and Roman medical texts into Arabic,
preserving invaluable knowledge that would later influence the medical
practices in Europe.
These examples illustrate the importance of
translation in healthcare services irrespective of time and place, providing
access to quality healthcare ailments and promoting cultural exchange by
transcending geographical boundaries.
The
growing role of Translation in Healthcare Services
1. Addressing the global need
Across the globe, millions
of people face linguistic restrictions when seeking medical care. Be it a
migrant worker in a foreign land, a tourist in need of urgent medical
attention, or any non-native speaker struggling through a complex healthcare
system. Their respective inability to effectively communicate their problem can
end up having dire consequences. Misunderstandings in such settings can lead to
wrong diagnoses, inappropriate treatments, and, sadly compromised patient
outcomes. Healthcare Translation Services therefore
cater to addressing the global need in this industry.
2. Access to quality
healthcare
Healthcare comprises the
basic needs of any individual. According to the WHO, promoting health and
safety while helping the vulnerable worldwide is their official mandate.
The UNICEF data lists
Healthcare under Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being,
highlighting the importance of healthcare.
Accurate conversions in
this department play a major role in providing access to quality health care to
the needy.
3. Safety of the Patient
Through translations in
medicine, patient safety is ensured, as it enables the patient to understand
the procedure of his diagnosis thoroughly.
In a Survey of a Wellness programme, over 70% of participants reported encountering situations where language barriers compromised the patient’s safety and quality of care, emphasizing the urgent need for trained medical interpreters and translation services in such settings.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that medication errors affect approximately 10% of patients worldwide, accurate translations of medical content will help in mitigating these shortcomings and safeguarding the concerned person’s well-being.
4. No patient is denied
service
It’s often seen that the
patients in need are denied service not because of lack of knowledge or
finance, but because of the inability to effectively communicate between the
seeker and the service provider. In such cases, translation can be of great
use. Hospitals can minimize the number of patients who have been denied service
and sent away to seek treatment elsewhere additionally doctors may refer their
patients to other specialists within the same premises.
5. Supports Clinical Trials
Creating localized
documentation and communication materials is essential for recruiting
participants and conducting clinical trials across diverse geographical areas.
This practice facilitates the gathering and dissemination of reliable data,
offering valuable insights for evidence-based decision-making.
According to research
conducted by the Tufts Centre for the Study of Drug Development (CSDD),
translating clinical trial materials can decrease recruitment time by as much
as 30%, resulting in expedited trial completion and faster regulatory approval.
6. Tackles Public Health Issues
Every aspect of this
industry revolves around confronting public health challenges. Tailoring
communication therefore becomes compulsory for distributing information during
public health emergencies like pandemics such as COVID-19 or natural disasters,
aiming to reduce risks and protect lives. Be it drug labels patient information
leaflets or campaign documents, accurate translations help tackle public health
issues and overcome challenges.
7. Regulatory requirements
Organizations in this
sector are supposed to operate in multicultural environments therefore needing
to comply with the legal and regulatory requirements regarding language access
and translation services to mitigate risks and avoid penalties at the same time
maintaining their service standards.
Medical documents are
sensitive and they demand great level of care. The medical documents need to be
carefully compounded and assisted with security protocols dedicated to
upholding the privacy and security of clients.
Corollary
Healthcare translation services are a
bridge in connecting patients and healthcare providers irrespective of
linguistic and cultural divides. Embracing the power of translation in this
sector can foster inclusivity, enhance patient care, and lead to advanced
medical Innovations on a global scale.
You may also like to read. Enhancing Healthcare with Localization Services for the Pharmaceutical Industry.