Considering that the world has been trying to recover from the recent pandemic, which took two years, translation in life science has become significant. Medical translation requires specialized and trained translators. They need constant updates and knowledge. Moreover, the medical industry requires quality working procedures as human lives and health are at stake.
The urge for a mutual understanding between patients and professionals who speak different languages leads to the need for translation. The translation of medical text comes with a number of challenges. Patients have their own expectations. They come with different medical histories and medical conditions. They expect physicians and healthcare officers to protect their privacy and keep the data confidential. Sharing information that is meant to be kept private can infuriate the patient and they may end up switching their physicians. The patient’s confidentiality hence is extremely vital in the healthcare backdrop.
The patient’s confidentiality is important in medical translation as it helps to build trust. It also helps the patients to get the best possible care and preserves the doctors’ reputation as well. The confidentiality of the patients and their medical records is also protected by law. So that no one can use this information negatively. Let’s dive into some details:
It protects patients
Medical document translation requires a number of details and information from the patient. They require personal details. The translators need to understand the importance of confidentiality. Likewise, a patient who has some serious disease and illness may include sexually transmitted diseases and mental illnesses. These diseases have been stigmatized and a lot of people are not comfortable sharing about these diseases. The patient takes it on their reputation and his stature in the community, therefore, the medical conditions need to be private, secure, and confidential. Medical translators need to realize these issues and address them accordingly.
It prevents discrimination
People judge a lot. It is in human instinct that we end up judging others based on certain circumstances. Patient confidentiality is also important to take care of in medical document translation services. No one wants to be judged by his acquaintances for his abilities and the illness and chronic conditions. Securing that patients’ information is safe with the translation agency and team of translators ascertains that the employers, schools, housing officers, community centers, and private organizations don’t see their people in the context of the particular disease. People’s judgment and negative stereotypes can affect a patient negatively and can deteriorate his mental health badly.
It builds trust
Considering the patient’s confidentiality as the prime focus also helps build trust between the healthcare center and patients. Trust happens to be everything in healthcare. A safe space for patients makes them more comfortable and they return to you for their problems and medical issues. They are likely to become more honest about the symptoms and issues during their visits. The medical community can not work without trust and reliance hence the public only gets willing to participate in the research and surveys when there are healthcare campaigns that prevent the spread of a certain disease.
It improves the doctor’s reputation
No one likes to visit a doctor who is not good enough to keep his information and data safe. Similarly, the people who take medical notes and the translators who work on medical notes translation also need training to work on their content and keeping the medical history and medical notes of the people safe and confidential. Patients admire the healthcare staff and a doctor who values patient confidentiality. Also, they recommend these doctors in their circle, which helps establish a great connection between the patient and the healthcare staff. Trust is the key to the best relationships and a healthy relationship between the patient and healthcare staff allows for building a great reputation for each other. A trustworthy doctor is one who has patients who trust him and also reserves respect and regard not only in their local communities but also in the medical and healthcare center.
It is required by law
HIPAA and Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the regulatory authority in the USA that works for patients’ confidentiality. The law in the USA and other countries of the world has a particular authority that protects the patients and works for their safety and confidentiality. Sharing the information of the patients by translators or doctors can make them accountable in the eyes of the law. Moreover, compliance with medical laws is also vital for medical notes translation services, as they register the basic information of the patient in this process.
Conclusion
Everyone values his privacy and expects the same from others. The patients share a number of intimate information with their physicians and healthcare staff. They expect them to take care of their information and medical history and details. Ensuring patients’ confidentiality builds a healthy relationship between doctors and patients, prevents discrimination, and improves doctors’ reputations. Medical translators should be trained never to risk patient confidentiality regardless of the circumstances.