Providing clinical trial services for the pharma, biotechnology, or medical device industry? Find out why language services are an indispensable tool for CROs.
Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies rely on Contract Research Organizations (CROs). They are aware that you have the knowledge and resources needed to streamline the clinical trial process.
But more and more research is happening across borders, which has brought new challenges. Let’s look into how language service providers can help you overcome clinical trial hurdles.
Clinical trial misconceptions.
Clinical trials are how researchers understand diseases and treatment options. They give patients access to cutting-edge treatments that may improve their quality of life.
Now, despite the benefits they may reap, patients are still skeptical about enrolling in clinical trials. Even more so when you’re dealing with a diverse population, where linguistic and cultural differences can plant a seed of doubt.
Here are some of the common misconceptions you’ll have to dispel:
- Clinical trial participants are guinea pigs.
Patients come first, and no investigational drug is given to them unless it’s undergone rigorous testing and screening. You’ll need to convey to them that they’ll always be treated with respect and dignity.
- I won’t be able to withdraw from the clinical trial.
Patients may worry about not being able to change their minds once they enroll. You’ll have to reassure them that they can leave the study at any time.
- There’s nothing in it for me.
You don’t know what you don’t know. But being part of a clinical trial allows patients to receive drugs that aren’t available to anyone else. Plus, they have access to more tests, lab work, and clinic visits.
It’s crucial to ensure patients understand all they can get from joining the trial.
- I don’t have time for it.
Patients may feel overwhelmed at the thought of the time commitment a clinical trial entails.
You’ll have to make them understand it’s pretty much the same as receiving a standard treatment regimen.
- My health data may be compromised.
Patients may feel weary about sharing clinical information, which researchers need to make informed treatment decisions.
So, you’ll need to make it very clear that their privacy is protected at all costs. As well as explain to them the specific data that are collected, and how they’ll be used.
Unconscious bias among research professionals.
Racial bias is one of the factors preventing diversity in clinical research. It may have an impact on which patients are asked to take part in clinical trials, or who consents to be on one.
A paper published in the American Cancer Society Journal proves this point. Research was conducted on how bias affects minority recruitment for oncology clinical trials.
Here are some of the conclusions drawn:
- Researchers found recruitment interactions with potential trial participants challenging.
- Minority candidates weren’t perceived to be ideal participants.
- Clinical trial opportunities were withheld from potential minority participants.
Now, these biases need to be tackled to ensure cross-language research is ethical and its results are reliable. Wondering how CROs can go about it?
- Understanding the unconscious biases.
Make sure you dig into the biases of those conducting research with individuals who have a language barrier.
- Using interpreters.
Rely on medical interpreters who are trained in ethical standards and cultural issues. This will help researchers overcome barriers and build rapport with patients.
- Hiring translation services.
The first step toward recruitment is making trial information accessible to patients. Have your patient-facing materials speak to candidates in their mother tongue.
In a nutshell, professional language services help you prevent unconscious bias and improve minority recruitment and engagement.
In which areas can a Language Service Provider add value to your clinical trial?
Working with an LSP with experience in Life Sciences results in:
- Regulatory compliance.
Translating documents such as protocols and patient-facing materials is a must to avoid regulatory issues leading to costly delays.
- Safe and effective trials.
Misunderstandings can have dire consequences for patients and compromise research outcomes.
- Informed consent and ethics.
It’s essential to ensure that participants understand what their involvement implies. Language barriers may lead to incorrect assumptions.
- Clear communication with multinational teams.
You’re bound to work with experts from different linguistic backgrounds. Translation helps you ensure that everyone is on the same page.
- Cultural sensitivity.
A word or phrase acceptable in one culture may be inappropriate in another. Understanding local nuances and adapting materials to local preferences improves participant engagement.
How can you manage the cost of involving an LSP in your clinical trials?
By now, you’re aware that working with an LSP brings plenty of benefits to your clinical trial. But we understand it’s yet another cost you’ll have to bear.
That’s why we’d like to give you a couple of tips to reduce the burden of your language-related costs:
- Work with specialized language service providers (LSP).
LSPs hire subject matter experts to translate clinical trial materials. They are well aware of the importance of delivering accurate translations, and go the extra mile to ensure your documents meet regulatory requirements.
Plus, they have strict quality control and assurance measures. Getting it right the first time will save you precious time and money.
- Use translation memory and terminology management software.
These tools can help reduce costs by reusing previously translated content. Plus, they ensure consistency in terminology across documents and languages.
At Montero Language Services, we offer end-to-end language support to CROs. We work with you to provide you with a quote that matches the service you need, so you always get your money’s worth.
On that note, you may be interested in hearing that you can benefit from a discount on your first translation project with us. Request your quote here.
