A Model of Developing Medical Terms in Indigenous Languages: A Step Towards Consumer Health Informatics in South Africa

This paperpresents a methodology that has been used in the development of medical terms in the indigenous languages of South Africa. Development of medical terms in indigenous languages is the primary step towards Consumer Health Informatics in the country. This process has been driven by, among others, an emerging paradigm shift in patient care management, whereby patients and other members of the community are encouraged to participate in the process of making treatment or management choices regarding their illnesses or health conditions. In view of this change in the health environment, language and understanding seem to playa major role. Without clear communication and understanding between health providers and the consumers of health services, little can be achieved. Language comprehension is invaluable to empower patients to engage in the decision-making process regarding their health problems. African languages in South Africa do not have equivalent health or medical terms used in patient-doctor communication. This limits the patients' understanding and ability to make informed choices. The project on developing health Imedical terms (ongoing) has created a methodology of how to develop medical terms in indigenous languages which will need a validity test.