Translation of medical documents requires a professional translator, as automatic translation and AI translation applications and online tools cannot guarantee the accuracy that such translations require.
Baltic Media has more than 30 years of experience working with medical research and healthcare companies such as Karolinska University Hospital, Koite Health Oy, Pfizer, Recipharm, GE Healthcare, Sirowa, Braun, Novartis, Grindex and many others.
To ensure the use of complex medical terminology, Baltic Media only works with translators who are native speakers of the target language. All Baltic Media medical translators work according to the requirements of an ISO 9001:2015 certified company and translations are insured to minimise any risks.
Why are medical translations by a translation agency more accurate?
For medical translation, a translation agency is generally better than an AI translator, but there may be cases where AI can be a useful complement.
The main advantage of a translation agency is that the specialised medical translators are experienced in understanding complex medical terminology and nuances, ensuring that the translated information is accurate and conveys the intended meaning.
The translators at the agency have expert knowledge in the field, have a deep understanding of medical concepts and can translate them correctly into the target language, and can ensure that the translation is culturally appropriate for the target audience.
The quality of Baltic Media’s medical translations is ensured by ISO 9001 certification and thorough internal quality control.
Disadvantages of medical AI translation
AI translations, especially in medicine, can be inaccurate and miss important nuances. Medical terminology can be difficult for AI to work with.
Machine translation tools have limited subject knowledge, may not understand the specific context of medical information, and may not be able to adapt the translation to the target culture.
It is therefore wise to use a translation agency for critical medical documents such as patient records, consent forms and research reports of a scientific medical nature. These are situations where accuracy is of the utmost importance.
In some cases, the translation agency may also use AI tools to improve efficiency, but the final check and assurance of accuracy will always be carried out by a human translator.
We can offer the best prices for medical translation. You can read more about our prices here.
We know how important time is for our customers. For this reason, Baltic Media responds to orders and requests from its clients within 15 minutes
Why is it important to use human translators for medical translation services?
It is critically important to use human translators for medical translation services due to the high stakes involved and the complexity of the content. While machine translation has advanced, it cannot yet replicate the nuanced understanding and expertise that a professional human translator provides.
Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons why human translators are essential for medical translation:
1. Accuracy and Patient Safety
In the medical field, a single mistranslated word or phrase can have life-threatening consequences. Human translators, particularly those who are certified and specialize in medical translation, possess a deep understanding of complex medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology. They can distinguish between subtle differences in meaning and ensure that critical information, such as medication dosages, treatment plans, and surgical instructions, is conveyed with absolute precision. Machine translation, in contrast, is prone to errors, which can lead to misdiagnoses, incorrect medication, or other fatal mistakes.
2. Contextual and Cultural Understanding
Medical communication goes beyond a direct word-for-word conversion. Human translators are able to interpret the context of a document, including idioms, colloquialisms, and patient-specific descriptions of symptoms. They also understand and can adapt to cultural sensitivities and beliefs that may influence a patient’s health decisions or their understanding of a diagnosis. This is especially crucial for sensitive topics like end-of-life care or mental health. Machines lack this cultural awareness and are more likely to produce translations that, while technically correct, are not culturally appropriate or clear to the patient.
3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Medical and pharmaceutical documents are subject to strict legal and regulatory requirements in various countries. Human translators with expertise in this field are familiar with regulations such as those from the FDA or EMA. They can ensure that all translated materials, including clinical trial protocols and informed consent forms, are compliant. They also understand the importance of patient confidentiality and follow ethical guidelines to protect sensitive personal data, a level of security that may not be guaranteed by free online translation tools.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Why use a translation agency for medical translation?
Translation agencies’ translators have expert knowledge, a deep understanding of medical concepts and can translate them correctly into the target language.
Can AI translation tools be used to translate medical documents?
AI automated translation software can be used to translate medical documents, but in combination with human editing and proofreading.
Why use Baltic Media for medical translation?
Baltic Media has more than 30 years of experience in translating medical texts, is an ISO 9001 certified and well-known language company in Northern Europe, and its translations are covered by liability insurance.
The Baltic Media® Nordic-Baltic Translation agency is a leading provider of digital translation services in Northern Europe specialising in Northern European (incl. Nordic, Baltic, Slavic) languages mostly in translation services from/into Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Icelandic, Faroese, Norwegian, German, English, Polish, Russian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian.
As an ISO certified language service provider, the Baltic Media® translation agency offers human translation services for corporate, governmental, and private clients.
We specialise in Nordic and Baltic languages, but we are just as happy to help with translations into other languages in Northern Europe and around the world.
