| Medical translation can be a minefield and specialist | | | | methodology, training and partnerships in support of |
| knowledge is required in order to gain quality | | | | translational activity. |
| assurance. It is essential that translators are used | | | | When undertaking medical translation there should be |
| from the target language locale that have the | | | | a mandate for clear communication which includes |
| necessary specialist medical knowledge in order to | | | | specific protocols for translation quality assurance. It |
| start the process of ensuring good quality. | | | | is essential that any anticipated risks to subjects |
| Competent editing and proof reading must ensure | | | | during research are clearly understood and that |
| that the post formatting during the process does not | | | | informed consent documents are signed only when |
| introduce irregularities that detract from the original | | | | there is confidence that the nature of the research is |
| document. | | | | conveyed accurately, that the medical translation has |
| There are numerous requirements for such types of | | | | been undertaken with the specific medical knowledge |
| documents globally including regulatory submissions, | | | | and target language required. |
| informed consent to be signed by patients, research | | | | When enrolling non-English speaking students, |
| protocols for which quality assurance is paramount. | | | | documents should be translated to the language they |
| Documentation in clinical trials across the globe must | | | | read, speak and understand. |
| of necessity require excellence in terms of the | | | | Quality assurance can also be met when considering |
| medical translation and quality assurance therein. | | | | medical translation by using bidirectional process. This |
| In the last two decades, Review Boards have been | | | | of course will incur further costs during translation but |
| set up to protect the client subjects and to ensure | | | | can ensure the initial document is fully understood. |
| good quality assurance in the field of medical | | | | However, it is important to bear in mind that the |
| translation. In 2008 the Medical Research Council in | | | | document coming back may not be a true reflection |
| the UK put into place a new strategy to underpin | | | | of the original since many words and phrases can be |
| key areas including developmental research, | | | | lost in translation according to the target language. |