Overcoming Language Barriers in Healthcare: Cochrane Brazil's Translation Initiative for Global Health Equity in Research

Article type
Authors
1Cochrane Brazil, Centro de Estudos de Saúde Baseada em Evidências e Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Medicina de Urgência, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Baseada em Evidências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
2Cochrane Brazil, Centro de Estudos de Saúde Baseada em Evidências e Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Cancer - INCA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3Cochrane Brazil, Centro de Estudos de Saúde Baseada em Evidências e Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá, Brazil
4Cochrane Brazil, Centro de Estudos de Saúde Baseada em Evidências e Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, Brazil; Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
5Cochrane Brazil, Centro de Estudos de Saúde Baseada em Evidências e Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
6Cochrane Brazil, Centro de Estudos de Saúde Baseada em Evidências e Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, Brazil; Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Course, University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, Brazil; Health Technology Assessment Center (NATS), Hospital das Clínicas of Botucatu Medical School (HCFMB), Unesp, Botucatu, Brazil
7Cochrane Brazil, Centro de Estudos de Saúde Baseada em Evidências e Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, Brazil; Science and Health Master Program, Department of Health and Biological Science, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, Brazil
8Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre - Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain; Cochrane Brazil, Centro de Estudos de Saúde Baseada em Evidências e Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, Brazil
Abstract
"Background: Globally, 75% of people do not speak English, impacting access to healthcare knowledge. In Brazil, merely 1% of the population speaks English fluently, emphasizing the need to bridge language gaps in healthcare information. High-quality care mandates overcoming these barriers. Cochrane reviews, embodying the pinnacle of evidence-based healthcare through rigorous methodology, highlight this necessity. Language disparities result in uneven access to healthcare information and outcomes, making the dissemination of Cochrane's methods pivotal for global health equity.
Objective: Emphasizes the importance of addressing language barriers in healthcare information and promoting Cochrane's methodologies for equitable health outcomes worldwide.
Methods: From July to December 2022, 11 volunteers from Cochrane Brazil translated the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2 guidance. To speed up workflow, we used an automated software with a customized machine translation in combination with human post-editing. After machine translation, we followed recommended knowledge translation methods and used a three-step approach to ensure an efficient and rigorous translation process. The first phase was performed by eight translators that used a previously standardized manual to check the terms translated by the machine. The second phase was performed by two trained translators that reviewed the translated sentences and edited them as appropriate to provide consistency. One experienced reviewer performed a final revision of all the translated content and ensured standardization of terminology and improved readability. A final review will be performed by the original authors of RoB 2 tool and the translation is expected to be published in the second semester of 2024.
Results: This translation will ease access to Cochrane's methodological guidance for Brazilian researchers and others in Portuguese-speaking regions, enhancing their methodological proficiency and critical analysis in systematic reviews.
Conclusion: This initiative exemplifies a successful collaboration model for Cochrane Groups, aiming to make evidence-based healthcare more accessible to non-English speakers globally, and emphasizes the importance of overcoming language barriers to ensure equitable access to high-quality healthcare information.
Relevance: Through a collaborative knowledge translation initiative, Cochrane Groups can disseminate high-quality healthcare information and help promote equity in health research."