{"id":69441,"date":"2021-08-24T18:46:27","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T18:46:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imperialcrs.com\/blog\/?p=69441"},"modified":"2023-12-08T12:48:40","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T12:48:40","slug":"clinical-trial-translation-management-3-tips-for-managing-translation-document-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.imperialcrs.com\/blog\/study-materials-translation\/clinical-trial-translation-management-3-tips-for-managing-translation-document-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Better Instead of Worse: 3 Tips for Managing Translation Document Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

The documents we create for clinical trials are collections of words. Reviewing these documents can be a straightforward process, with the final draft approved after one or two rounds of changes. In clinical trial translation management, sometimes a document is improved by the edits, sometimes not. However, did you ever have a time when the editing process felt like an uphill, labor-intensive, emotionally-draining climb that might never end? Did it feel worse with translated documents? If the answer is yes, you are not alone.<\/p>\n

Language and emotion<\/h2>\n

Language is the dominant way we human beings form a connection. We use language (written, spoken, or signed) to express our feelings, share our thoughts, convey concepts, and inspire others to see from our perspective. Connecting through language<\/a> is not flawless, and feeling misunderstood or unheard is often a strong demoralizing experience. It makes sense that feelings can run high when words are concerned.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all had an email message rub us the wrong way. It takes a sophisticated level of self-awareness to understand exactly why. Usually, we just feel annoyed at how inconsiderate, unprofessional, or ignorant the email\u2019s author is. Reviewing documents elicits a similar response. Good or bad, it\u2019s normal for each of us to have opinions on how we would prefer to word a statement. These preferences drive word choices, the number of words used, and the order of words, resulting in hundreds of ways to make essentially the same statement. The optimal balance between direct and polite can vary widely based on the individual\u2019s personal and cultural background.<\/p>\n

In a translated document, the emotions are amplified. The reviewer is essentially reviewing the content from both the source and target language documents. It can be more challenging to tell which one the reviewer is trying to update when all of the edit requests and commentary are made exclusively about the translation.<\/p>\n

Tips to improve clinical trial translation management outcomes<\/h2>\n

What can we do? Although there still isn\u2019t a cure for being human (a bummer, I know!), we can set the stage to incentivize better outcomes. These three tips can help:<\/p>\n

1. Make the source content visible early<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Providing visibility to the source content early in the project is ideal. This way, you\u2019ll also gain insight into issues being introduced by the source content. For example, there may be a mistake in a visit schedule or a section that only applies to a few countries. The team will be able to address content issues directly. Mistakes can be corrected or a different version of the source document can be created for specific regions. The issues will also be addressed earlier before project delays add stress to everyone involved.<\/p>\n

2. Set review expectations<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Providing clear instructions also helps narrow a reviewer\u2019s focus. The phrase \u201cplease review\u201d leaves it open for the reviewer to decide what they will be looking for. If you have several reviewers, they may all look for different things, creating inconsistencies among the document versions. If a reviewer splits their review over several days, s\/he could feel differently on each day and rework documents several times and introduce inconsistencies.<\/p>\n

Be specific about what you are asking reviewers to look for. For example, \u201cPlease only review for compliance with local regulations regarding payment schedules. Do not make any other changes.\u201d Setting clear expectations can help reduce unnecessary time on the reviewer\u2019s part and reduce communication rounds between your team members and reviewers.<\/p>\n

3. Establish consequences for not meeting expectations<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Communicate an escalation path that will be used if things go south. Here are some potential issues that should be addressed upfront:<\/p>\n