Medical Translation Research Articles

The ethics of medical translation

Much has been written about the ethics of medical interpreting, but not so much about purely written translation. What moral principles apply (or should apply) when I translate a document for a client? Do I need to invent these principles myself, or is there help available? In this article I explore the personal moral principles we might apply to our work, and the institutional backup that is available, for instance the Institute of Translation and Interpreting’s Code of Conduct. I explore what a code of ethics for medical translators might look like.

Medical translation: A driving force behind equitable access to healthcare

Medical translation: A driving force behind equitable access to healthcare

Translating “medicalese”: The case of informed consent forms

Informed consent forms (ICFs) are documents used in clinical research to inform prospective participants about – and obtain their consent for – partaking in a clinical trial. Evidence suggests that ICFs may not be fit for purpose because their linguistic and textual features exceed the comprehensibility needs of their non-expert target audience. These issues also impact medical translators who translate ICFs for prospective participants of international trials. This article discusses some of the main challenges of translating ICFs, such as specialised terminology and jargon, lexico-syntactic complexity, and text length, and argues for increased training and collaboration to mitigate these difficulties in medical translation.

Translation of Ontological Concepts from English into German Using Commercial Translation Software and Expert Evaluation.

Medical ontologies are mostly available in English. This presents a language barrier that is a limitation in research and automated processing of patient data. The manual translation of ontologies is complex and time-consuming. However, there are commercial translation tools that have shown promising results in the field of medical terminology translation. The aim of this study is to translate selected terms of the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) from English into German using commercial translators. Six medical experts evaluated the translation candidates in an iterative process. The results show commercial translators, with DeepL in the lead, provide translations that are positively evaluated by experts. With a broader study scope and additional optimization techniques, commercial translators could support and facilitate the process of translating medical ontologies.

Impact of Fine-Tuned Machine Translation on Medical Documentation Translation and Client Satisfaction

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Fine-Tuned Machine Translation (FTMT) models, followed by Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE), on the translation quality and client satisfaction in medical documentation. Materials and Methods: The research analyzed 733,632 words across 317 projects completed in 2023 by Lingrowth, a medical and life science translation service provider. These projects involved translations from 16 source languages to 34 target languages. Document types included Instructions for Use (IFU), Investigator Brochures (IB), Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), Clinical Study Reports (CSR), and Informed Consent Forms (ICF). The projects were categorized into two groups for comparison: translations performed by human translators using Translation Memory (TM) and those processed by FTMT followed by MTPE. The primary metrics for evaluation were the number of post-project finalization requests and instances of severe negative feedback from clients. Results: It was observed that human-translated projects had a higher frequency of post-project finalization requests, whereas MTPE projects after FTMT exhibited a marginally higher rate of severe negative feedback. However, statistical analysis indicated that these differences were not significant, suggesting that the introduction of FTMT models with subsequent MTPE does not adversely affect the overall quality of medical document translations. Conclusion: The study concludes that FTMT models, when supplemented by MTPE, are com-parable in effectiveness to traditional human translations in the context of medical documentation. This highlights the potential of integrating FTMT in translation workflows without compromising translation quality or client satisfaction.

Term Issues in Medical Translation: Expanding Usage in Local Languages

Term Issues in Medical Translation: Expanding Usage in Local Languages

Medical translation and terminology issues

Two broad categories are identified: general and specialized translation. Medical translation refers to the subdivisions of translation service provision in relation to healthcare, medical products, biotechnology that involve specific terminology and accurate understanding of medical documents. The specific medical language can be analysed along: the user, the domain of use and special application of language. In this line of approach, some authors provide a comprehensive inventory of “the modern language of medicine”, claiming that it basically “represents the ancient Greek language transcribed into Latin” means that medical language and translation are on the border between specific language and scientific field.

Discovery of novel antibacterial agent for the infected wound treatment: all-hydrocarbon stapling optimization of LL-37.

Rationale: Antimicrobial peptide LL-37 has been recognized as a favorable alternative to antibiotics due to its broad antibacterial spectrum, low resistance development and diverse biological activities. However, its high manufactory cost, poor proteolytic stability, and unpredictable cytotoxicity seriously hindered its medical translation. Methods: To push the frontiers of its clinical application, all-hydrocarbon stapling strategy was exploited here for the structural modification of KR-12, the core and minimal fragment of LL-37. Results: Based on a library of KR-12 derivatives that designed and synthesized to be stapled at positions of either i, i+4 or i, i+7, structure to activity relationship was investigated. Among them, KR-12(Q5, D9) with the glutamine and aspartic acid residues stapled displayed increased helical content and positive charge. The reinforced α-helical conformation not only protected it from proteolytic hydrolysis but also improved its antibacterial efficacy via effective membrane perturbation and anti-inflammatory efficacy via compact LPS binding. Besides, the increased positive charge endowed it with an enhanced therapeutic index. On infected wound mouse model, it was demonstrated to eliminate bacteria and promote wound closure and regeneration effectively. Conclusion: Overall, the all-hydrocarbon stapling was proven to lay the foundation for the future development of antibacterial agents. KR-12(Q5, D9) could serve as a lead compound for the clinical treatment of bacterial infections.

Mutual Information Guided Diffusion for Zero-Shot Cross-Modality Medical Image Translation.

Cross-modality data translation has attracted great interest in medical image computing. Deep generative models show performance improvement in addressing related challenges. Nevertheless, as a fundamental challenge in image translation, the problem of zero-shot learning cross-modality image translation with fidelity remains unanswered. To bridge this gap, we propose a novel unsupervised zero-shot learning method called Mutual Information guided Diffusion Model, which learns to translate an unseen source image to the target modality by leveraging the inherent statistical consistency of Mutual Information between different modalities. To overcome the prohibitive high dimensional Mutual Information calculation, we propose a differentiable local-wise mutual information layer for conditioning the iterative denoising process. The Local-wise-Mutual-Information-Layer captures identical cross-modality features in the statistical domain, offering diffusion guidance without relying on direct mappings between the source and target domains. This advantage allows our method to adapt to changing source domains without the need for retraining, making it highly practical when sufficient labeled source domain data is not available. We demonstrate the superior performance of MIDiffusion in zero-shot cross-modality translation tasks through empirical comparisons with other generative models, including adversarial-based and diffusion-based models. Finally, we showcase the real-world application of MIDiffusion in 3D zero-shot learning-based cross-modality image segmentation tasks.

Oral exosome-like nanovesicles from Phellinus linteus suppress metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma by reactive oxygen species generation and microbiota rebalancing.

The biomedical application of nanotechnology in cancer treatment has demonstrated significant potential for improving treatment efficiencies and ameliorating adverse effects. However, the medical translation of nanotechnology-based nanomedicines faces challenges including hazardous environmental effects, difficulties in large-scale production, and possible excessive costs. In the present study, we extracted and purified natural exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) from Phellinus linteus. These nanoparticles (denoted as P-ELNs) had an average particle size of 154.1 nm, displayed a negative zeta potential of -31.3 mV, and maintained stability in the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, P-ELNs were found to contain a diverse array of functional components, including lipids and pharmacologically active small-molecule constituents. In vitro investigations suggested that they exhibited high internalization efficiency in liver tumor cells (Hepa 1-6) and exerted significant anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, and anti-invasive effects against Hepa 1-6 cells. Strikingly, the therapeutic outcomes of oral P-ELNs were confirmed in an animal model of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma by amplifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) and rebalancing the gut microbiome. These findings demonstrate the potential of P-ELNs as a promising oral therapeutic platform for liver cancer treatment.

The lexical-semantic characteristics of medical field terminology translation.

Mazkur maqola tibbiy tarjima va uning leksik- semantik xususiyatlari, unda yuzaga keladigan turli xil lingvistik muammolar va ularning yechimlari, shuningdek, uning bir qancha turlari haqida axborot berishga bag'ishlanadi

Current materials for 3D-printed flexible medical electrodes

Electrodes serve as essential tools for both acquiring and stimulating electrical signals, pivotal in monitoring human health through electrophysiological signals and playing a significant role in disease management and treatment. Notably, Young’s modulus of flexible electrodes is similar to that of tissues and organs, thereby avoiding tissue or organ damage arising from mechanical mismatch. Thus, flexible electrodes become the fundamental devices for ensuring the stable, long-term acquisition of electrical signals and delivering reversed electrical stimulation to guide disease treatment. Reducing the size of flexible electrodes and increasing the number of electrode channels are significant for improving the sensitivity and accuracy of signal acquisition. In comparison to traditional manufacturing methods, 3D printing technology is able to fabricate products with higher resolution at a much faster speed. It is customizable and provides a novel approach for preparing flexible electrodes. Many conductive materials have been developed and applied to prepare flexible electrodes, and some have been integrated into 3D printing techniques, driving forward the development of 3D-printed flexible electrodes in medical fields. This article reviews recent research advances concerning the combination of these materials with 3D printing technology to prepare flexible electrodes and categorizes the materials into four main groups, namely metallic materials, carbon-based materials, conductive polymers, and other materials. In addition, we outline the future directions regarding the application of 3D-printed flexible electrodes in clinical research and medical translation.

Unsupervised Medical Image Translation With Adversarial Diffusion Models.

Imputation of missing images via source-to-target modality translation can improve diversity in medical imaging protocols. A pervasive approach for synthesizing target images involves one-shot mapping through generative adversarial networks (GAN). Yet, GAN models that implicitly characterize the image distribution can suffer from limited sample fidelity. Here, we propose a novel method based on adversarial diffusion modeling, SynDiff, for improved performance in medical image translation. To capture a direct correlate of the image distribution, SynDiff leverages a conditional diffusion process that progressively maps noise and source images onto the target image. For fast and accurate image sampling during inference, large diffusion steps are taken with adversarial projections in the reverse diffusion direction. To enable training on unpaired datasets, a cycle-consistent architecture is devised with coupled diffusive and non-diffusive modules that bilaterally translate between two modalities. Extensive assessments are reported on the utility of SynDiff against competing GAN and diffusion models in multi-contrast MRI and MRI-CT translation. Our demonstrations indicate that SynDiff offers quantitatively and qualitatively superior performance against competing baselines.

A Case Study on Improving MTI Students’ Translation Competence in Project-Based Teaching

The present research taps into the development of a female Chinese MTI student’s translation competence in the course a medical English-Chinese translation project. Following a qualitative approach, we collected her various translation drafts, memos and interviews as the research data. By referring to the translation competence model containing five parts proposed by Zhang and Wang (2020), we conducted detailed analyses on her translation drafts and memos. It is found that her overall translation competence shows an upward trend, with her specialized knowledge competence and instrumental competence improving the most rapidly. Her linguistic abilities and cognitive abilities, particularly in translating complex sentences, have also demonstrated a significant progress. The interview transcripts have been used to explore her identification with the translator’s role. It is hoped that this study would contribute to discussion on translation competence development and shed light on project-based teaching for MTI programs in both China and the world.

The Translation Quality of Clinically Oriented Anatomy Book in Bahasa Indonesia

The objective of this study are to identify the accuracy of the medical translation and describe the result of the quality translation of the Clinically Oriented Anatomy book in Bahasa Indonesia. This is a descriptive, qualitative research which focus on single case, objective of the data is the medical terminology that found in the translation process. The data collected by Focus Group Discussion, Interview, and Questioner with the key informants who is a specialist dentist, and two general dentist. The number of the data is 359, the result of the research showed that 36.49 % from the specialist doctor, 34.81% from the general dentist and the last 35.93% that give the scale of the accuracy in the translation. It can be conclude that, the accuracy of the transaltion is less accurate.

Medical Literature Search Based on Database and Medical English Translation with Machine-Assisted Tool

Medical Literature Search Based on Database and Medical English Translation with Machine-Assisted Tool

Health care professionals most relevant phrases used in a digital medical translation tool in 24-7 communication with minority speaking heart surgery patients during hospitalization

Abstract Background/Introduction Health care professionals’ communications with hospitalized minority speaking heart patients are even in 2023 still frequently limited to non-verbal language, notes from informal caregivers and "google translate" in situations where interpreters are not available. Health care based digital solutions aiding translation may help improve health care professionals’ assessment, information about and treatment of minority speaking patients, and there is an urgent need for innovative research into this area. Purpose To describe the most relevant phrases used by health care professionals’ in a digital, medical translation tool for 24-7 communication with minority speaking heart surgery patients during hospitalization. Methods A digital medical translation tool was customized using the internationally recognized ABCDE (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure) systematic approach to assess and treat, in addition with the pre-operative surgical safety checklist employed as a framework. Health care professionals’ use of phrases in the digital tool when communicating with the minority speaking heart surgery patient’s during their clinical hospital pathway (Figure 1) were then counted, categorized, and finally linked to health care professionals’ actions. Results Fifty-five health care professionals (i.e. registered nurses, intensive care nurses, operating room nurses, anaesthesia nurses and physiotherapists) were during 60 shifts with 24-7 follow-up of five minority speaking heart surgery patients using a total of 410 phrases from the digital medical translation tool. The phrases were categorized and counted into the ten most common categories (Figure 2): 1. Pain (e. g. are you in pain?), 2. Nutrition (e. g. are you hungry?), 3. Respiration (e.g. breathe in), 4. Mobilisation (e.g. you have to get up and stand), 5. Psychological support (e.g. the surgery went well), 6. Safe surgery (e.g. do you have any teeth that are loose?), 7. Medications (e.g. pain relievers), 8. Communication (e.g. just answer "yes" or "no"), 9. Examination (e.g. you are going to have an x-ray examination), 10. Circulation (e.g. do you feel dizzy?). Health care professionals’ actions (i.e. assessment, information and reassurance, and instructions) were categorized and related to these phrases. Conclusions A health care based digital medical translation tool can aid in communication with minority speaking patients in situations when interpreters are not available. This study shows how health care professionals’ use of such a translation tool when communicating with minority speaking heart surgery patients during hospitalization can employ phrases and categories 24-7 to improve patients’ healthcare.Fig.1 Clinical pathwayFig.2 HCP communication

Spezifika der Übersetzung von medizinischen Texten

Summary The study deals with the issue of translation in the field of medicine. The first part contains a brief theoretical introduction into medical translation in general. It is followed by a practical analysis of problems in the translation from the source to the target language with a focus on abbreviations and defects in source texts. It describes specific problem areas and examples which occur very often in medical texts and can lead to errors in target texts. Decoding medical abbreviations and defects in source texts in the German – Slovak language pair is a very demanding job, because the use of Latin, Greek or English words and their abbreviations in medical texts is a common occurrence for doctors, but can be a source of problems and confusion for translators.

Radiation Therapy Knowledge and Health Literacy among Culturally Diverse Patients with Prostate Cancer Treated at a Safety-Net Hospital.

Shared decision making is integral to the physician-patient relationship for radiotherapy (RT) patients. It is implicit that patients both comprehend and retain information explained during consultation. However, quality and quantity of patient knowledge following this visit is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate post-consultation RT knowledge and health literacy among a diverse group of patients. Participants were patients ≥18 years old who received consultation for definitive or salvage RT to the prostate gland/fossa between April 2021 and January 2023 at an urban safety-net hospital. Following consultation, patients completed the Radiation Oncology Knowledge Assessment Survey (ROKAS), designed to measure patient understanding of proposed RT treatment (e.g., treatment frequency, length, safety) and possible short- and long-term side effects (SE). Additional measures included patients' health literacy, health numeracy (numerical medical concepts), acculturation (assimilation to the dominant culture), and socioeconomic factors. ROKAS was administered in both English and Spanish with Spanish-speaking patients offered medical translation if desired. Bivariate Pearson correlations were conducted to examine the relationships between independent variables and post-consultation RT knowledge. Two-sided t-tests were conducted to examine differences in patients' knowledge by language. Overall, 39 ROKAS were completed by 24 English-speaking and 15 Spanish-speaking patients (mean age 64.4 [SD 6.8], range 52-79). The majority (93%) of patients 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that they understood all the RT information presented. However, only 70% of the RT questions were answered correctly with 26% of patients answering all RT questions correctly. Similarly, 95% of patients 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' with knowing the side effects of their proposed treatment, but only 71% and 74% of short- and long-term SE questions, respectively, were answered correctly. Higher health literacy (p = 0.04) and health numeracy (p = 0.001) were significantly correlated with better understanding of short-term SE, but not with RT knowledge or long-term SE. Spanish-speaking patients had significantly lower scores of health literacy (p = 0.001) and understanding of long-term (p = 0.01), but not short-term SE. There is a significant gap between perceived and measured knowledge of RT treatment and SE in patients who receive consultation for RT to the prostate gland/fossa. Health literacy was significantly associated with improved knowledge of RT and short-term SE. Spanish-speaking patients had poorer understanding of long-term SE than English-speaking patients. Efforts to identify gaps in patient health literacy are needed to target those at risk and ensure that culturally diverse patient populations can engage in shared decision making with their providers.

Analysis of the Current Situation and Trends of Medical Translation Research in China

Medical translation is an interdisciplinary research direction between medicine and translation, with both theoretical and practical value. This study is based on the CNKI core paper database, utilizing the CiteSpace knowledge graph visualization tool and Excel data analysis. A systematic literature review method is used to sort out 1764 articles in Chinese medical translation related journals from 2001 to 2022, in order to clarify the research content and characteristics of medical translation. A dynamic econometric analysis was conducted on the current status and trends of medical translation research in the past two decades, and the results showed that: 1) Chinese medical translation research has shown an overall upward trend in the past two decades. 2) The research direction of influential authors in Chinese medical translation research is mostly traditional Chinese medicine translation, with research institutions mainly being universities of traditional Chinese medicine, and research achievements in Western medicine translation account for a relatively small proportion. 3) The main focus of Chinese medical translation research is the English translation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terms. From the perspective of highlighted words, corpus and medical translation talent cultivation have been cutting-edge topics in recent years, and it is predicted that they will continue to grow in popularity in the future.