Medical Translation Sacrifices Accuracy for Understanding

Abstract

In 1980, the author, a first-year psychiatric resident, faced the challenge of treating a non–English-speaking patient without access to a professional translator. This incident highlighted the critical role of accurate medical translation in ensuring patient safety and effective communication. Federal laws now mandate that healthcare organizations provide translation services to non–English speaking patients to prevent medical errors and ensure equal care. However, even with professional translators, conveying complex medical information accurately remains challenging.