A medical translation is far from a simple exercise of transferring words from one language to another. It is a delicate, technical process that carries enormous responsibility. In many cases, what is written and accurately translated can directly influence critical clinical decisions, the choice of a treatment, and even the patient’s life.
Why is medical translation so important in clinical contexts?
When it comes to medical reports, test results, diagnoses, or clinical records, there is no room for approximations. Here, precision is not a luxury—it is an absolute necessity. A wrongly used term can change the perception of the professional reading it and, with that, alter the course of a treatment. That’s how serious it is.
This is why, when you need to submit documentation in another language to a doctor, a clinic, or an insurance company, there are several non-negotiable requirements. Such translation must be:
- Medically accurate.
- Easy to understand for the receiving professional.
- Faithful at all times to the original content.
- Aligned with the standards of the healthcare system in the target country.
And this is where the specialized medical translator comes in. It’s not enough to be a translator. You need someone who, in addition to mastering languages, has training in healthcare, understands clinical contexts, and knows exactly what they are dealing with.
Which medical documents usually require translation?
There are many situations in which you may need a medical translation, but if we talk about second opinions or hospital procedures at an international level, these are the documents most often requested:
- Medical reports (both general and specialized).
- Diagnostic test results (blood tests, MRIs, X-rays, etc.).
- Discharge summaries and surgical reports.
- Full medical history.
- Laboratory reports.
- Pathology reports.
- Treatment protocols or prescribed medication.
- Emergency or hospitalization records.
- Medical certificates.
- Documentation required by medical insurance companies.
What should a good medical translation include?
Let’s get straight to the point. A truly useful medical translation must meet several essential requirements. These are non-negotiable.
1. Terminological precision
Vague translations or generic synonyms are not acceptable. In medicine, saying “stomach ache” or “abdominal pain” is not the same as “epigastric pain.” Every word carries its clinical weight, its specificity, and overlooking that can completely change the doctor’s approach.
2. Faithfulness to the original document
The translator is not there to reinterpret. They cannot and should not correct, embellish, or add anything. If the original document is ambiguous, it must remain so. The medical translator does not replace the doctor. Their task is to faithfully reflect the content, not to give opinions about it.
3. Format similar to the original document
This is particularly important when documents are submitted to medical or administrative entities. It means keeping the structure, sections, headings… even the visual layout as close as possible to the original.
4. Absolute confidentiality
We are talking about very personal, extremely sensitive information. As such, it is protected by regulations such as GDPR. So before anything else, the translator must sign a confidentiality agreement and work in secure environments. No excuses.
Medical translation for second opinion: what should you keep in mind?
When you seek a second medical opinion, you are trusting your health to another professional. And for that trust to be built, the documents must be organized, well-written, and above all, comprehensible.
Some basic recommendations before sending your documents for translation:
- Arrange them in chronological order.
- Filter only what is truly relevant (the translator cannot decide this for you).
- Specify the country and language the documents are intended for.
- Check if you need them certified or sworn.
A key point is that some treatments, brand names, or terms may not have a direct equivalent in other countries. In such cases, a good translator does not improvise but can add context with a brief note, e.g., “equivalent to drug X in the UK.”
Medical translation for hospital procedures: what requirements are usually requested?
If you are about to be admitted abroad, undergoing treatment outside your country, or managing documents for an international insurance company, you will most likely be asked for:
- Previous diagnoses.
- Recent tests.
- Proof of treatments received.
- Reports signed by specialists.
In these cases, it is essential that:
- The patient’s name matches exactly with their official documents.
- Dates are translated into the correct format of the target country (note: DD/MM/YYYY is not the same as MM/DD/YYYY).
- Units of measurement are adapted (milligrams, millimoles, etc.).
- And of course: there must be no errors that could cause doubts or delays.
Who should carry out a medical translation?
This part is probably the most important of the entire article. Because if you do not choose the right person or company to translate your medical documents, everything else loses its meaning.
The profile you need must have:
- Specific training in medical translation.
- Direct experience with real clinical texts.
- Practical knowledge of healthcare documentation.
- Command of data protection regulations.
At EJB Traducciones, we do not delegate this type of task to just anyone. We have a specialized team in medical translation, with professionals who not only master languages but also have firsthand knowledge of how healthcare systems work—both here and abroad.
Key tips before translating your medical documents
- Make sure you know the exact language required (watch out for variants: US English is not the same as UK English).
- Check if a sworn or certified translation is needed.
- Do not scan blurry or illegible documents. If they cannot be read, they cannot be translated properly.
- Allow the translator a reasonable timeframe. Rushing is never a good advisor.
- Do not be guided only by price: choose based on experience, rigor, and reliability.
Conclusion
A well-done medical translation can make a real difference in the process you are going through. It can open doors to better treatments, facilitate clearer diagnoses, or save you from endless unnecessary procedures. It is not just about translating text; it is about transferring vital information in a rigorous, clear, and error-free way.
At EJB Traducciones, we know what is at stake. That’s why, if you are looking for a professiona