How machine translation is used in healthcare

Abstract The growing popularity of machine translation (MT), driven by its accessibility and cost- effectiveness, has made it a valuable resource for migrants navigating language barriers in healthcare. Despite its increasing use, there is a limited body of research exploring migrants’ use and perceptions of MT in healthcare. This study seeks to address this gap by investigating how Chinese migrants in the Netherlands employ MT to meet their healthcare communication needs, with a particular focus on satisfaction and trust. This study uses a questionnaire-based approach to collect data from 108 respondents. The findings reveal three key insights: (1) Chinese migrants in the Netherlands face various challenges in the healthcare system, such as language barriers and cultural differences; (2) MT and generative AI (GenAI) tools are widely adopted to overcome language obstacles; and (3) most participants report moderate levels of satisfaction and trust in MT for healthcare communication. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of Chinese migrants’ healthcare experiences in the Netherlands and their use of MT to enhance healthcare communication.