The process of creating TREKK’s French translations
Or, how accurate are TREKK’s French translations really?
Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK) offers resources for healthcare providers in both official languages. The French translations must be a precise match with the evidence-based resources created in English. If so much as a single decimal is off, the outcome could be devastating for a child.
For this reason, French resources must be as trustworthy as those in English. We ensure that all of our healthcare provider resources are translated by a certified medical translator and then reviewed by a team of francophone experts.
View the French reviewers on the development team at TREKK
How are TREKK resources created?
TREKK’s resource development process begins with identifying priority topics through consultation with knowledge-users, experts, and the latest trends in healthcare. Evidence is then synthesized and collated into a list that meets knowledge-users’ needs. Then, concise summaries and practical tools are created. Resources are then reviewed by an Editorial Committee and Parent and Youth Advisors, approved by the Steering Committee.
Resources are then professionally translated by a medical translator into French with input from clinical experts. This step is crucial to ensure that the resources are both medically accurate and appropriate for the Canadian French context.
Once the French translation is complete, the TREKK team disseminates our resources via the website and newsletter. Our resources are reviewed every two years and updated if necessary to ensure ongoing relevance.
Learn more about TREKK’s process
Why does TREKK create French translations for its healthcare provider resources?
From the beginning, TREKK has been dedicated to offering resources in both of Canada’s official languages. Our goal has always been to ensure that healthcare professionals across the country—whether they live, study, or work in French or English—can easily access high-quality information in the language of their choice.
“Some clinicians prefer to consult resources in French. Others have more limited English proficiency and favour their first language when reading medical materials, when possible,” explains Dr. Mathieu Vincent, a family and emergency care physician and long-time TREKK contributor.
By making TREKK resources available in French, we support healthcare providers in francophone and bilingual settings, while helping ensure that families receive evidence-based care in the language they’re most comfortable with.
A sustained and growing effort in French translation
Over the years, the list of collaborators involved in the French translation and validation of TREKK resources has continued to grow, reflecting our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of francophone clinical environments across the country.
At TREKK, translation is a demonstration of our commitment to providing resources to as many Canadian healthcare providers as possible. We take great care to ensure that the resources we create in English are as accessible and accurate to French-speaking healthcare providers.
