What are the key pieces of information in medical record translation?
A high-quality medical record translation can break language barriers and clear obstacles for patients and international medical exchanges. So, what key information should medical record translations cover? Next, Artlangs will interpret it for you in detail!
(1) Basic Personal Information
This includes the patient's name, gender, date of birth, nationality, and contact information. Accurate translation of basic personal information is crucial for correctly identifying the patient's identity in an international medical setting, preventing confusion of medical information, and ensuring the smooth progress of subsequent medical procedures. Not only that, but the interpreter needs to pay attention to differences in name order in different cultures.
(2) Detailed Medical History
Past Medical History: This covers all diseases the patient has previously suffered from, such as chronic conditions (heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, etc.) and significant surgeries or injuries. For instance, if the patient has undergone a cholecystectomy, the medical record translation should accurately state it as "Cholecystectomy" so that foreign doctors can fully understand the patient's health background and assess potential health risks.
Family History: This is crucial for the diagnosis and prevention of genetic diseases. If there is a history of cancer, genetic heart disease, or other conditions in the family, the translation should clearly state the disease names and the affected family members, helping foreign doctors assess the patient's risk of genetic diseases.
(3) Symptom Description
The patient's symptom information is an important basis for diagnosis. This includes the location and nature of pain (such as stabbing, dull, or aching pain), duration, and detailed descriptions of symptoms like fever, cough, and dyspnea. For example, "The patient feels a persistent chest pain, located on the left side, with a dull nature, which has lasted for two days" should be translated as "Patient experiences a persistent chest pain, located on the left side, with a dull nature, which has lasted for two days." Accurate translation helps foreign doctors quickly understand the patient's symptom characteristics and make initial diagnoses.
(4) Test Results
Laboratory Tests: These include blood tests, biochemistry tests, coagulation function tests, and other results. For instance, accurate translation and data transmission of indicators such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and hemoglobin in blood tests allow foreign doctors to directly reference them and understand the patient's physiological status.
Imaging Reports: These cover descriptions and diagnoses from X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other test results. For example, "Brain MRI shows a shadow with a size of about 2cm×3cm in the left frontal lobe, and the boundary is indistinct" should be translated accordingly, providing foreign doctors with intuitive imaging information.
(5) Diagnostic Results
The diagnostic conclusion in the medical record is the core part. Whether it is a definitive disease diagnosis (such as translating "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease" as "COPD"), a preliminary diagnostic hypothesis, or a suspected diagnosis, all need to be accurately translated so that foreign doctors can develop treatment plans or further examination protocols based on them.
(6) Treatment Process
This records the treatment methods the patient has undergone, including pharmacotherapy (drug names, dosages, and frequencies), physiotherapy (types and durations of therapy), and surgical treatment (surgery names, dates, doctors, etc.). Taking pharmacotherapy as an example, "The patient takes 100mg of Amlodipine orally every day" should be translated accurately, and detailed translations of the treatment history help foreign doctors understand the patient's treatment background and avoid drug duplication or interactions.
In summary, accurate translation of key information such as basic personal information, medical history summaries, symptom manifestations, test data, diagnostic results, and treatment histories in medical record translations is crucial for the smooth progress of international medical affairs. Only by ensuring that every detail is presented accurately can foreign medical professionals fully and deeply understand the patient's condition, thereby formulating scientifically reasonable treatment plans and ensuring that patients receive appropriate treatment and care in the international medical environment.