There is an old saying that an image is worth a thousand words. Moreover, medical science confirms that the human brain is wired to retain visual information better. Therefore, videos have some distinct benefits in spreading the message.
Videos have gained even more significance with the advancements in technology. Unlike several decades ago, videos are now easily shareable, surpassing text-based content in popularity and engagement. Any video material is 1200% more likely to be shared than a text article.
Furthermore, video translation has played a crucial role in expanding the reach of various industries, and the medical field is no exception. Along with medical translation and localization, video translation has revolutionized patient care and research, providing enhanced healthcare services to patients who are geographically distant. Through a video call, effective communication between patients and doctors can be achieved.

In this article, we will delve into why video translation services are essential for the healthcare industry

Impact of Language Barriers on Health Outcomes

  • Inability to make informed decisions: Language barriers can have a detrimental effect on health outcomes as effective communication is crucial in healthcare. Without understanding health information, individuals may struggle to make informed decisions about their well-being, leading to potential gaps in care and compromised health outcomes.
  • Lack of healthcare resources: In certain nations or specific ethnic groups, poor health outcomes can be attributed to the lack of health information available in the language spoken by those communities. This language barrier creates a significant obstacle, hindering access to vital healthcare resources and preventing individuals from fully understanding and managing their health conditions.
  • Poor communication: Language barriers pose challenges not only in developing nations but also in countries like the United States, where a significant portion of the population prefers languages other than English. For example, a considerable number of individuals in the US communicate in Spanish. This underscores the importance of providing accurate and accessible healthcare information in multiple languages to meet diverse linguistic needs and facilitate effective healthcare delivery.

Be it text or video, any communication is of little use if not clearly understood by the audience. One of the issues related to poor health outcomes in certain nations or specific ethnic groups is the lack of health information in the language that people understand.
This problem is not only widespread in developing nations. Just take the example of the US, which is better known as an English-speaking country. However, a majority of the population prefers to communicate in Spanish.
Thus, if any healthcare organization wants its message to be heard, it is best presented in the native language of targeted population groups. Moreover, in the internet age, this is not challenging.

So, why not overcome this barrier of languages through good translations?

Benefits of video translation in the healthcare industry

While machines have the capability to translate, the complexity of languages and variations in expressions across nations pose challenges. Machines are still lacking in understanding cultural nuances and expressions. This amplifies the reliance on accurate translations in healthcare. Video Translation has contributed to the growth of healthcare in the following ways:

  1. Enhanced patient understanding and engagement:
    Video translation allows healthcare providers to communicate important information to patients in their native language. By providing translated videos, patients can better understand medical procedures, treatment plans, and health education materials. This leads to improved patient engagement and empowerment in their own healthcare journey.
  2. Improved doctor-patient communication and comprehension:
    Videos add a personal touch to the interaction, making patients feel like they have a genuine conversation. This experience greatly differs from reading or simply listening. Our brains are naturally inclined to process visual information more efficiently, making video communication a valuable tool for enhancing doctor-patient communication and comprehension. By providing translated videos, patients can better understand medical procedures, treatment plans, and health education materials. This leads to improved patient engagement and empowerment in their own healthcare journey.
  3. Expanded reach and accessibility of healthcare information:
    Video translation promotes accessibility and inclusivity in healthcare by breaking language barriers. It ensures that individuals with limited English proficiency or those who are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to vital healthcare information and services. They also aid healthcare organizations to reach a broader audience, both locally and globally. Translated videos can be shared on various platforms and social media channels, enabling healthcare information to reach individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.
  4. Improved accuracy and clarity:
    Video translation ensures accurate and clear communication of healthcare information. Translating videos allows for precise localization, considering cultural nuances and language variations, ensuring that the message is conveyed accurately and effectively to diverse populations.

Applications of video translation services in healthcare

There are innumerable ways in which video translation services can be used in healthcare. Below are just some examples:

  • Medical training and education
    Video translation aids in training healthcare professionals and educating them about new medical advancements and best practices. With the rise of e-learning, healthcare organizations can provide translated training videos to ensure consistent knowledge dissemination across their multilingual workforce, enhancing the overall quality of care.
  • Patient education and awareness campaigns
    Whether selling a product or raising awareness about health issues, nothing is better for patient education than video materials. Moreover, using modern technology, one can readily target specific population groups with videos in their language of preference. This ensures that everything is understood.
  • Remote consultations and telemedicine
    Along with well-created and translated videos, healthcare can also greatly benefit from Video remote interpretation that makes remote consultation easier for those in need of expert medical care. It helps explain complex topics to patients. Additionally, patients are more receptive to medical advice when they see video materials in their native language.

Conclusion

Video translation services are a game changer for the healthcare industry. They allow for effective information dissemination, overcome language barriers, and improve patient care. Accurate translations ensure that the message is understood, and culturally sensitive translations are vital in medical contexts.
Videos enhance the patient experience, improve communication, and expand the reach of healthcare information. From medical training, and patient education, to remote consultation and interpretation, the healthcare industry can provide holistic care and improve health outcomes globally by embracing video translation services.

With a wealth of experience in localization, Ulatus, a professional translation company, equipped with a team of highly qualified translators and experts, is your ideal partner to achieve your medical localization goals with unparalleled expertise.