Healthcare should be accessible for all populations, including those that are Limited English Proficient (LEP) and need language support. While translation on its own can support accessibility, localization can provide significantly improved access to healthcare for those with language needs. Healthcare localization projects can help you customize your products, services, and internet presence to reflect differences in distinct markets. It can also help you reach new markets and grow your healthcare organization. If your organization is in an area with many different language populations, healthcare localization can help you reach these populations more effectively than translation.
What is healthcare localization?
While translation and localization may seem similar, localization is a much more involved process. In order to ensure that your documents will effectively reach your new target audience, your healthcare localization project will include localizing graphic design, color use, currency, symbols, and many other objects in your document. The goal of doing so is to effectively create a document that feels, reads, and looks like it was originally created for the language/culture group your organization is trying to reach.
Why healthcare localization?
Healthcare localization can provide many different benefits to your organization.
If your organization offers services that are of interest to non-English-speaking customers, either in the United States or the international marketplace, localizing your software, documentation, and website will help you connect with them on a whole new level. Presenting your organization as culturally and ethnically sensitive to the needs of your customers will differentiate it from the sea of healthcare providers. Not only that, but you’re also likely to see an increase in the number of clients or patients you see due to your localized content, as more of your target population will be able to fully understand the documentation you provide them.
Your organization also stands to benefit more directly from healthcare localization projects. Localization helps polish your corporate image and increase your visibility as a trusted provider of medical services. You’ll also benefit from fewer misunderstandings as more of your target population will clearly understand what you offer as a healthcare organization.
Almost 26 million people in the United States speak English “less than very well,” according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2015 American Community Survey. These LEP communities make up a vast market of potential patients or clients that you can’t afford to ignore. As more and more LEP populations opt to use the internet to gather information to aid their decisions, ensuring that your website is presented in a way your local markets can understand and respond to becomes critical. Localizing your website to reach LEP populations provides vital information to these populations about their healthcare choices.
If you want a dynamic way to reach new patients or clients for your healthcare organization, healthcare localization should be top-of-mind. We can help you get started with your healthcare localization projects. Give us a call at 530-750-2040, or request a free quote to get started today.
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Ash is the Marketing Coordinator at Avantpage, Inc. Ash works to create high-value, targeted content that allows consumers to connect with us at Avantpage. They are a strong proponent of everyone having equal access to communication and information. They have written and created content for a variety of online platforms, and have been published in over 30 online platforms with varying topics. But Ash is other things too! An avid athlete, Ash enjoys spending their free time rock climbing, partaking in aerial circus sports, and practicing acroyoga.