The importance of client collaboration in medical translation projects

Sep 18, 2024

At Novalins, we believe that the foundation of a successful medical translation project is built upon strong collaboration between the client and our translation team. With the increasing complexity of medical software, apps, and digital health products, it is essential that both parties work hand-in-hand to ensure that the final product meets the highest quality standards and aligns with the client’s vision.

Defining style and tone from the start

Every client has a unique voice, and in medical translation, accurately reflecting that voice is critical. At the start of every project, it’s vital to align with the client on specific stylistic preferences. Whether it’s technical precision for regulatory documentation or user-friendly language for patient-facing apps, agreeing on the appropriate style and tone ensures consistency throughout the project. This approach saves time by reducing back-and-forth revisions later in the process.

Glossaries and style guides: building a consistent language framework

In medical translation, consistency is not only a matter of style but also of terminology. Medical terminology can vary significantly from one project to another, depending on the target audience, the field of expertise, or even regional preferences. No one knows their product better than the client, which is why receiving their preferred terminology is crucial for success. Collaborating with clients to create detailed glossaries and style guides allows our translation team to maintain uniformity in terminology and style across all translated materials. By incorporating the client’s terminology preferences from the start, we ensure that the final translation aligns perfectly with their product vision and industry requirements.

At Novalins, we develop client-specific glossaries from the outset of our collaboration, updating them with each project to ensure consistency over time. This not only guarantees that the client’s specific terminologies are respected but also enhances the quality and efficiency of the translation process.

Reference materials and context: getting it right from the start

No two medical products are the same, and understanding the context of the material being translated is crucial for accuracy. This is particularly true in the digital health and MedTech sectors, where user engagement and regulatory compliance are of high importance.

Before embarking on a translation project, we encourage clients to provide as much reference material as possible—whether it’s previous translations, product presentations, or user guides. Our team carefully reviews these documents to gain a full understanding of the client’s product and its specific context. This is especially important for translating user interface elements, such as Call-to-Action (CTA) buttons. A term as simple as a CTA can have multiple translations depending on the context, tone, and intended user response. Understanding the context of the app ensures that we get the right translation the first time, avoiding confusion and aligning perfectly with the user experience.

In cases of software and app localization, we often request a detailed product presentation from the client. This allows our translators to understand not only the technical language but also the intended user experience, ensuring that the final translation resonates with the target audience and supports high user engagement.

Presenting the translation team to clients

We understand that trust and confidence in the translation team are paramount. That’s why we present the team of translators to our clients, offering access to their blinded CVs. Clients have the opportunity to review samples of the translators’ work and decide if they are satisfied with the team we’ve selected. If adjustments are needed, we are more than happy to change the team until the client is completely confident in the expertise and approach of the translators. This ensures that the final translation team is perfectly aligned with the client’s needs and project goals.

Faster time-to-market and higher user engagement

By fostering this close collaboration from the very start of the project, we are able to meet client expectations faster. Establishing clear guidelines around style, terminology, and product context enables our team to deliver translations that are ready for immediate use, with minimal revisions required. This is especially important for medical apps and software, where meeting regulatory standards and ensuring user engagement are critical to success.

At Novalins, our goal is to be more than just a translation provider. We aim to be a trusted partner who understands your product as deeply as you do, ensuring that the final translation not only meets regulatory requirements but also achieves your broader business objectives.

Real-time feedback and continuous improvement

At Novalins, we believe in maintaining an open line of communication throughout the translation process. To facilitate this, we provide clients with access to our Translation Management System (TMS), allowing them to review translations and offer real-time feedback. This level of transparency ensures that any necessary adjustments to style, tone, or terminology can be made early in the project.

We also set clear milestones after each small batch delivery, providing structured opportunities for feedback. These regular checkpoints allow our team to review and implement the client’s comments before proceeding with the next batch of translations. By integrating this feedback in real time, we ensure that the final product perfectly aligns with the client’s expectations, while also speeding up the overall process by minimizing extensive revisions at the end.

Conclusion

In medical translation, success is not just about delivering accurate translations—it’s about delivering translations that align with the client’s brand, vision, and product goals. By working closely with our clients to establish clear guidelines, develop glossaries, and thoroughly understand the product context, we ensure that the final translation resonates with the target audience and meets the highest industry standards.