Medical Records & Second Opinions: How to Get Your Chinese Medical Documents Translated

One thing I've learned from international patients is that getting your medical records right is one of the most underappreciated aspects of medical tourism. Your Chinese medical records are the bridge between your treatment in China and your ongoing care back home. If they're incomplete, untranslated, or missing key information, your home-country doctors won't be able to provide proper follow-up care.

Here's my guide to managing medical records and second opinions in China.

What Medical Records You Should Get

Before you leave China, make sure you have the following documents, preferably in both Chinese and English:

• Discharge Summary (出院小结): The most important document. Includes diagnosis, treatment received, and follow-up recommendations. Required for insurance claims.
• Operative/Surgical Report (手术记录): Detailed description of the surgical procedure performed. Critical for future surgeons who may need to operate in the same area.
• Pathology Report (病理报告): For cancer patients, this is essential — it contains the histological diagnosis, grade, stage, and biomarker information that guides further treatment.
• Imaging Reports and Images (影像报告和图像): Both the written report and the actual images (CT, MRI, PET) in DICOM format. Request these on a CD or USB drive.
• Laboratory Results (化验报告): Blood tests, cardiac enzymes, tumor markers, etc. With reference ranges.
• Medication List (用药清单): All medications prescribed, with dosages and duration in generic names.
• Follow-Up Plan (随访计划): When you need to return for checkups, what tests are needed, and at what intervals.

How to Get English Medical Records

Chinese hospitals typically maintain medical records in Chinese. English translation is available through several routes:

• Hospital international departments: Most top hospitals' international departments can provide English versions of key documents. This service may take 2–5 working days. Request it early — don't wait until your discharge day.
• AI-assisted translation: Some hospitals now use AI for medical translation. Zhejiang University No. 4 Hospital offers free AI-powered English report generation using DeepSeek integration, with doctor review before delivery. Reports ready in 4 working days.
• Third-party translation services: If the hospital doesn't provide translation, certified medical translation services in China charge ¥100–¥300 per page with 2–5 day turnaround. Your patient coordinator can help arrange this.
• Notarized translation: For official use (legal proceedings, insurance claims in some countries), you may need notarized translation. Notary public offices in major Chinese cities offer this service.

Getting a Second Opinion from Chinese Doctors

One of the advantages of coming to China for treatment is the ability to get a second opinion from top Chinese specialists. The process:

1. Send your medical records (translated to Chinese or English) to the hospital's international department
2. The department forwards them to the appropriate specialist
3. The specialist reviews your case and may request additional information
4. A telemedicine consultation is scheduled (typically ¥500–¥2,000)
5. The specialist provides a written second opinion report

China's telemedicine infrastructure has expanded rapidly. A 2026 report from Xinhua noted that over 4,000 Chinese hospitals now offer online consultation services, making remote second opinions more accessible than ever.

Digital Records and Portability

The most practical way to manage your Chinese medical records is to create a digital medical passport:

• Scan all paper documents as PDFs
• Save imaging files in DICOM format (the universal standard that any radiologist can read)
• Upload everything to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, or a China-accessible alternative like Baidu Pan)
• Share access with your home-country physician
• Keep a physical copy in your carry-on luggage when traveling

Understanding Chinese Medical Terminology

Medical terminology in Chinese follows ICD-10 coding standards, which are internationally recognized. If your records are in Chinese, the ICD-10 codes themselves are universal. Key terms to recognize:

• 诊断 = Diagnosis
• 手术 = Surgery
• 出院 = Discharge
• 处方 = Prescription
• 病理 = Pathology
• 影像 = Imaging

Having these terms on your medical records helps even if the full text isn't translated — your home doctor can use the ICD-10 codes and numbers to understand the essential information.

The Bottom Line

Your medical records are your most valuable asset after treatment. Request English-translated versions early, get imaging files in DICOM format, create digital backups, and share everything with your home-country physician before you leave China. With AI-powered translation services becoming available at more hospitals, getting usable English records is easier than it was even a year ago.