Medical translation: determining what actually needs to be translated

Guide to determining what information requires medical translation

Due to the diverse needs of medical professionals and the variations in the intended end-use of medical information, there is no single rule that applies to every case. Use the following steps to decide where a full translation is required and where a summary or targeted extraction may be enough.

1. Identify documents with critical information. Pinpoint clinical facts that affect diagnosis, treatment, safety, or regulatory submissions.
2. Check information for legal and regulatory compliance. Some documents must be fully translated to satisfy country-specific regulations or payer requirements.
3. Identify your target audience. Is the reader a clinician, regulator, patient, or caregiver? That will dictate terminology, depth, and format.
4. Ensure the information fits the target audience. Tailor readability, units of measure, and notes to the reader’s context and local standards.

Medical documents that need translation

The ability to discern what needs translation—and what does not—is crucial. The following document types commonly require full, accurate translation:

1. Clinical trial documents
2. Case reports
3. Consent forms
4. Medical device instructions
5. Medical research findings
6. Prescription documents

Fit for audience & end-use

When translation is for clinical or legal use, opt for a complete translation with appropriate certification. Where the goal is triage, internal review, or research selection, a summary or data extraction can be faster and more cost-effective—provided risks are understood and any critical passages are fully translated.