ABSTRACT

The 11^th International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) represents an advance in the focus on knowledge and new disease approaches. The ICD is used for different practical purposes, enabling assessment of progress in the global health agenda, resource allocation, patient safety, health care qualification, and health insurance reimbursement. It is entirely digital, with technological resources that allow periodic updating. In early 2022, ICD-11 entered into official force, having been made available in several official ICD languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, French, and English. The translation process into Brazilian Portuguese, coordinated by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), with support from the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MS) and PAHO/WHO, is presented here. The work was carried out in three stages between August 2021 and December 2022 by translators with different backgrounds: medical specialists (49), physiotherapists (1), pharmacologists (1), and dentists (1). This methodological article aims to broaden the discussion of perspectives on implementing the ICD-11 in Brazil and build an opportunity for its adaptation and use by other Portuguese-speaking countries.

Keywords:
International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems; CID-11; Health information systems; Vital statistics; Translations

INTRODUCTION

The production of statistics on the frequency of diseases and causes of death in the population requires the use of a standardized classification to define the nomenclature and grouping according to certain criteria. The first international classification for causes of death was approved in 1893 by the International Institute of Statistics, known as the Bertillon Classification. On the recommendation of the American Public Health Association, this classification began to be used from 1898 onward in the statistical services of Mexico, Canada, and the United States, and was later disseminated to several countries. Since its adoption, it has been defined and agreed on the need for periodic reviews, which have been the responsibility of the International Statistical Institute (first, second, and third reviews) and the French government (fourth and fifth reviews)¹1. Laurenti R, Mello Jorge MH, Lebrão ML, Gotlieb SLD. Classificações de uso em saúde. In: Laurenti R, Mello Jorge MH, Lebrão ML, Gotlieb SLD. Estatísticas de saúde. 2a ed. São Paulo: EPU; 2005. p. 107-22..

With the sixth revision, in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) assumed responsibility for the elaboration and periodic revisions of the international classification, in order to reflect advances in public health and medical sciences. In this classification, there were significant changes, such as the incorporation of diseases and reasons for consultation for health problems, with the name being changed to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Causes of Death, known simply by the acronym ICD. This characteristic explains the significant increase in the number of categories (from 200 in ICD-4 and ICD-5 to 1,010 in ICD-6). It is important to note that, in the sixth revision, standardized rules were included for selecting the underlying cause of death and definitions for use in health statistics, particularly the definitions of vital events and those for morbidity²2. Laurenti R, Buchalla CM. O uso em epidemiologia da família de classificações de doenças e problemas relacionados à saúde. Cad Saúde Pública 1999; 15(4): 685-700. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X1999000400003
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X199900... .

In the International Conference for the Tenth Revision of 1989, the ICD-10 was approved, as well as the strategy of composing a family of integrated classifications. Used alone or together, these classifications contribute to providing health or health-related information. The name family is appropriate because it refers to the reference classifications, as well as to derived classifications and related classifications, known as World Health Organization – Family of International Health Related Classifications (WHO-FIC). The first to be included was the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), which is considered a reference along with the ICD³3. Laurenti R, Di Nubila HBV, Quadros AAJ, Conde MTRP, Oliveira ASB. A Classificação Internacional de Doenças, a Família de Classificações Internacionais, a CID-11 e a Síndrome Pós-Poliomielite. Arq Neuro-Psiquiatr 2013; 71(9A). https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282X20130111
https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282X2013011... ,⁴4. World Health Organization. ICD-11 International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Eleventh Revision. Reference Guide [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referenceguide/en/html/index.html
https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referencegui... . Together, these classifications are fundamental tools to address the multiple dimensions that involve human health, including the characteristics of services that assist populations⁴4. World Health Organization. ICD-11 International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Eleventh Revision. Reference Guide [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referenceguide/en/html/index.html
https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referencegui... ,⁵5. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Plataforma Integrada de Vigilância em Saúde. Câmara técnica assessora para a gestão da família de classificações [Internet]. 2021 [acessado em 22 mai. 2023]. Disponível em: http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/cta-br-fic/
http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/cta-br-fi... .

In Brazil, the Brazilian Center for Disease Classification (CBCD) was created in 1976 through an agreement between the University of São Paulo, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the Ministry of Health. It was responsible for the translation into Portuguese of volumes 1, 2, and 3 of ICD-10 in the 1990s, to compose the base of codes used in the country since 1996 in all information on mortality and several on morbidity, being designated in 2001 “WHO Collaborating Center for the Family of Classifications in Portuguese”. Its activities ended in March 2016¹1. Laurenti R, Mello Jorge MH, Lebrão ML, Gotlieb SLD. Classificações de uso em saúde. In: Laurenti R, Mello Jorge MH, Lebrão ML, Gotlieb SLD. Estatísticas de saúde. 2a ed. São Paulo: EPU; 2005. p. 107-22.,³3. Laurenti R, Di Nubila HBV, Quadros AAJ, Conde MTRP, Oliveira ASB. A Classificação Internacional de Doenças, a Família de Classificações Internacionais, a CID-11 e a Síndrome Pós-Poliomielite. Arq Neuro-Psiquiatr 2013; 71(9A). https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282X20130111
https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282X2013011... ,⁶6. Centro Brasileiro de Classificação de Doenças. Quem somos [Internet]. 2016 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://www.fsp.usp.br/cbcd/index.php/quem-somos.
https://www.fsp.usp.br/cbcd/index.php/qu... , being absorbed by the Ministry of Health⁷7. Rabello Neto D. Ações típicas da agenda FIC, coordenadas diretamente pela CGIAE. In: Seminário de Lançamento do Centro Brasileiro de gestão do uso da Família de Classificações Internacionais – BR-FIC [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 6 e 7 de dezembro de 2018 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/centrais-de-conteudos/eventos/2018/br-fic/9-Plano-trabalho-FIC-CGIAE.pdf
https://svs.aids.gov.br/daent/centrais-d... . In 2021, the process began to designate the Ministry of Health as a WHO Collaborating Center, a fundamental step given the importance of Brazil in the Family of International Classifications (FIC) network⁸8. França GVB. Câmara Técnica Assessora para a Gestão da Família de Classificações Internacionais: perspectivas para o biênio 2021-2022. In: Webinar CTA BR-FIC [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 18 de junho de 2021 [acessado em 22 mai. 2023]. Disponível em: http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/cta-br-fic/webinar-2021-06-18-giovanny.pdf
http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/cta-br-fi... ,⁹9. Gawryszewski V. Família de Classificações Internacionais e Centros Colaboradores da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS/OPS): a importância do Brasil no cenário mundial. In: Webinar CTA BR-FIC [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 18 de junho de 2021 [acessado em 22 mai. 2023]. Disponível em: http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/cta-br-fic/webinar-2021-06-18-vilma.pdf
http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/cta-br-fi... .

In 2007, WHO began the production of ICD-11 with the involvement of a wide range of physicians, researchers, and technicians specialized in health systems, among other professionals, as well as the general public. After more than a decade in the making, the 11^th version of the ICD was approved at the 72^nd World Health Assembly in May 2019, that is, almost 30 years since the approval of ICD-10¹⁰10. World Health Organization. ICD-11 implementation or transition guide [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019 [acessado em 22 mai. 2023]. Disponível em: https://icd.who.int/en/docs/ICD-11%20Implementation%20or%20Transition%20Guide_v105.pdf
https://icd.who.int/en/docs/ICD-11%20Imp... .

The structure of ICD-11 is sophisticated, as it classifies events that express the related processes of becoming ill and dying, assigning them codes that allow capturing clinical characteristics with a high degree of specificity and enabling their summarization into clusters for different purposes. Changes in content reflect the advancement of knowledge in medicine, with design and structure consistent with the networked digital age. These are the most important differences between ICD-10 and ICD-11. The latter is characterized by not being just a simple revision of the former, becoming in fact a different and powerful health information system¹¹11. Harrison JE, Weber S, Jakob R, Chute CG. ICD-11: an international classification of diseases for the twenty-first century. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2021; 21(Suppl 6):206. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-021-01534-6
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-021-01534... . It is structured to serve multiple purposes, from supporting doctors on the front line with other health professionals to developing policies to intervene in health realities⁴4. World Health Organization. ICD-11 International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Eleventh Revision. Reference Guide [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referenceguide/en/html/index.html
https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referencegui... ,¹⁰10. World Health Organization. ICD-11 implementation or transition guide [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019 [acessado em 22 mai. 2023]. Disponível em: https://icd.who.int/en/docs/ICD-11%20Implementation%20or%20Transition%20Guide_v105.pdf
https://icd.who.int/en/docs/ICD-11%20Imp... ,¹²12. The Lancet. ICD-11. Lancet 2019; 393(10188): 2275. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31205-X
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31... .

The original version of ICD-11 was prepared in English. The language was considered the “initial unfavorable aspect” for its implementation in Brazil, given that the entire process of translation, adaptation, revision, and implementation into a new language takes time¹³13. Almeida MSC, Sousa Filho LF, Rabelo PM, Santiago BM. Classificação Internacional das Doenças – 11a revisão: da concepção à implementação. Rev Saúde Pública 2020; 54: 104. https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2020054002120
https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2020... . In early 2022, ICD-11 entered into official force, having been made available in several official languages of the ICD, such as Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, French, English¹⁴14. World Health Organization. ICD-11 2022 release [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: who.int/news/item/11-02-2022-icd-11-2022-release, and currently also Russian (available on the website icd.who.int/en). Translation into the country’s language is considered the priority step for its implementation¹⁰10. World Health Organization. ICD-11 implementation or transition guide [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019 [acessado em 22 mai. 2023]. Disponível em: https://icd.who.int/en/docs/ICD-11%20Implementation%20or%20Transition%20Guide_v105.pdf
https://icd.who.int/en/docs/ICD-11%20Imp... .

In Brazil, the Technical Advisory Board for the Management of the Family of International Classifications (Câmara Técnica Assessora para a Gestão da Família de Classificações Internacionais – CTA BR-FIC), was established in March 2021, coordinated by the Department of Epidemiological Analysis and Surveillance of Noncommunicable Diseases (Departamento de Análise Epidemiológica e Vigilância de Doenças Não Transmissíveis – DAENT) of the Secretariat for Surveillance and Environment (Secretaria de Vigilância e Ambiente – SVSA) of the Ministry of Health⁵5. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Plataforma Integrada de Vigilância em Saúde. Câmara técnica assessora para a gestão da família de classificações [Internet]. 2021 [acessado em 22 mai. 2023]. Disponível em: http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/cta-br-fic/
http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/cta-br-fi... . Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) was invited by CTA BR-FIC to undertake the translation of ICD-11 into Portuguese¹⁵15. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Departamento de Análise Epidemiológica e Vigilância de Doenças não Transmissíveis. Coordenação Geral de Informações e Análises Epidemiológicas; Nota Técnica no 60/2022- CGIAE/DAENT/SVS/MS [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/cta-br-fic/nota-tecnica-60-2022.pdf
http://plataforma.saude.gov.br/cta-br-fi... . Work began in August 2021, also with the support of PAHO/WHO.

As expected, in the translation process, impasses and dilemmas arose that required decision-making based on the state of the art, clinical practice, the culture of the professions, the guidelines and the structure of current health systems. This article seeks to present the main changes introduced in the 11^th revision of the ICD and how the process of translating this version into the Portuguese language in use in Brazil was carried out. The aim is to build an opportunity for health professionals, society in general and managers responsible for disseminating the ICD-11 in Brazilian Portuguese to learn about the advances of this new version and the challenges for its implementation.

Some of the many ICD-11 innovations

Innovations are at the heart of the new ICD version, which integrates all its content into a multidimensional structure of entities called Foundation, Fundamental Component or Fundament, comprehensive and connected with online platforms. Entities represent the basic unit of ICD-11 and relate to diseases, disorders, injuries, external causes, signs and symptoms, functional descriptions, interventions, and extension codes. They have a unique identifier, called Unique Resource Identifier (URI), which represents a fundamental support for digital communication⁴4. World Health Organization. ICD-11 International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Eleventh Revision. Reference Guide [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referenceguide/en/html/index.html
https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referencegui... ,¹¹11. Harrison JE, Weber S, Jakob R, Chute CG. ICD-11: an international classification of diseases for the twenty-first century. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2021; 21(Suppl 6):206. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-021-01534-6
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-021-01534... .

Lists with mutually exclusive categories, so-called tabular lists, are derived from the Foundation/Fundament, such as the ICD-11 Tabular List for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics (ICD-11 MMS), available in the browser. This online application for accessing and using ICD-11 corresponds to volume 1 of ICD-10 and it presents the 26 chapters and the two supplementary sections that make up ICD-11, with all the subdivisions into blocks, categories, and subcategories. Several chapters are unpublished, two of them as a result of chapter III of ICD-10, in addition to the updated contents and structure changes that permeate the entire list. Attention is drawn to the relocation of strokes from the chapter on cardiovascular diseases to the chapter on diseases of the nervous system⁴4. World Health Organization. ICD-11 International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Eleventh Revision. Reference Guide [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referenceguide/en/html/index.html
https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referencegui... .

The ICD-11 tabular list uses a hierarchical structure based on the “family tree” concept to group related entities, called parent-child entities. Parental entities (parents) are at the highest level in the hierarchy, and the child and siblings’ entities provide greater detail when needed. For example, typhoid fever represents a child entity of intestinal bacterial infections and is at the same hierarchical level as the sibling entity of paratyphoid fever and other Salmonella infections. An important innovation refers to the fact that an entity can have one or more parents, being presented more than once in the classification set, with emphasis on the primary parent. Thus, cerebrovascular disease has its primary parent in the chapter on diseases of the nervous system and also appears in the chapter on cardiovascular diseases, in the latter case with an indication (lighter colored letters) that its primary location is in another chapter⁴4. World Health Organization. ICD-11 International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Eleventh Revision. Reference Guide [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referenceguide/en/html/index.html
https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referencegui... ,¹⁶16. World Health Organization. ICD11 Education Tool Unit 1. Introduction to ICD-11. [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11training/ICD-11%20Education%20Tool%20Unit%201/story_html5.html
https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11training/ICD... .

Another electronic application available is the Coding Tool, for accessing the ICD-11 codes, associating the name of the disease or term with related codes. Functioning as an alphabetical index, it lists approximately 120,000 clinical terms and would correspond to volume 3 of ICD-10. This tool represented a powerful technological advance for the codification of diseases and causes of death, as it allows searching all classification terms as well as accessing additional information, such as the hierarchy of entities in groups and categories. Easy to use, it enables an immediate search with greater accuracy for the appropriate code, through the diagnosis or the terminology used by the user. Its digital structure can be inserted into local digital systems, using the WHO web or offline version⁴4. World Health Organization. ICD-11 International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Eleventh Revision. Reference Guide [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referenceguide/en/html/index.html
https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referencegui... ,¹¹11. Harrison JE, Weber S, Jakob R, Chute CG. ICD-11: an international classification of diseases for the twenty-first century. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2021; 21(Suppl 6):206. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-021-01534-6
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-021-01534... .

For coding, alphanumeric codes of up to six characters are used in the translation of diagnoses of diseases and other health problems to enable storage, retrieval, and data analysis. The codes are organized from 1A00.00 to ZZ9Z.ZZ and are called stem codes. These are considered highly relevant and may appear isolated in the tabular list. They are composed of letters and numbers, and the first character indicates the chapter. Chapters 1 to 9 start with a number (from 01 to 09), and the following chapters start with a letter, from A to R. The letters O and I are not used because the spelling is similar to that of the numerals zero and one⁴4. World Health Organization. ICD-11 International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Eleventh Revision. Reference Guide [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referenceguide/en/html/index.html
https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referencegui... .

Assigning multiple codes to describe a diagnosis represents a notable innovation from ICD-11. A code cluster occurs in the case of two or more stem codes with various clinical concepts, or in the case of specific details captured in so-called extension codes. There are more than 20 thousand extension codes. The purpose of these supplementary codes, which should never be used alone and begin with the letter X, is to allow greater specificity and recording of additional information, such as severity scale, temporality or life cycle, anatomical and histopathological aspects, lesion characteristics, external causes, occupational characterizations, medications, and other substances, among other elements. This conception, presented by the concept of post-coordination, aims to highlight the complexity of the causal link when, for example, a disease or condition mentioned in the death certificate is related to another disease or condition equally declared⁴4. World Health Organization. ICD-11 International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Eleventh Revision. Reference Guide [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referenceguide/en/html/index.html
https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referencegui... ,¹¹11. Harrison JE, Weber S, Jakob R, Chute CG. ICD-11: an international classification of diseases for the twenty-first century. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2021; 21(Suppl 6):206. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-021-01534-6
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-021-01534... . This approach, based on the multidimensional paradigm, was designed to extrapolate the record based exclusively on clinical knowledge so that it reproduces knowledge in the field of epidemiology.

In short, ICD-11 facilitates access to terms and related coding, prepared in line with scientific advances and new paradigms in health care. Attention is drawn to the potential for quick and complete registration, made possible by the increased use of electronic tools.

The process of translating ICD-11 into Brazilian Portuguese

To coordinate the process of translating ICD-11 into Portuguese, the UFMG team initially appropriated the instructional and related materials available on the WHO website. This enabled the necessary improvement to conduct the process, with emphasis on the reference guide⁴4. World Health Organization. ICD-11 International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Eleventh Revision. Reference Guide [Internet]. 2022 [acessado em 22 maio 2023]. Disponível em: https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referenceguide/en/html/index.html
https://icdcdn.who.int/icd11referencegui... . Pari passu institutional events promoted by the Ministry of Health of Brazil, by PAHO/WHO and by institutions from other countries on the new contents of ICD-11, such as sexual health and aging, were valuable opportunities for the coordination of the process. In addition, the dialogue with PAHO/WHO professionals who were in charge of the translation into Spanish signaled fundamental elements for the organization of the methodological strategy that was adopted.

The process of translating the terms, between titles of the codes and descriptions of the diseases in the 26 chapters and in the two sections of ICD-11, was carried out in three distinct periods, given the contingencies of the support of the financing institutions: 1^st stage — August to November 2021 (PAHO/WHO funding), 2^nd stage — March to June 2022 (Ministry of Health funding), and 3^rd stage — September to December 2022 (PAHO/WHO funding). The alternative for the participation of translators available in the communication market was initially evaluated, but it did not prove to be viable, considering the complexity and scope of the content that covers most medical specialties, as well as the knowledge and practices of other health areas, such as pharmacology, dentistry, and sexual health.

Academic insertion, mastery of the English language and experience in clinical practice related to specific chapters were the criteria to compose the group of translators, with training in cardiology, endocrinology, dermatology, gastroenterology, gynecology, hematology, family medicine, neonatology, neurology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, pathology, pediatrics, pulmonology, psychiatry, rheumatology, among other specialties. Professionals with different backgrounds participated: medical specialists (48), physiotherapist (1), pharmacologist (1), and dentist (1), most of them university professors. A specialist epidemiologist was responsible for translating the Interface.

Once the groups of translators were defined, a short training program on the expansion of ICD-11 in relation to ICD-10 was chosen. In the course of workshops and similar activities, the bases of the 11^th revision were addressed, as well as the principles of coding and structuring of chapters and supplementary sections. Training was carried out for the proper handling of the electronic platform, called the maintenance platform (or orange platform), in which translation into other languages is carried out, as well as the inclusion of comments or proposals on ICD-11. This activity satisfied the needs in this context, given the support of a professional specialized in information technology. This availability ensured navigation on the electronic platform from registration to the actual translation and revision. The procedures indicated by the coordination were followed, adapted, and improved throughout the translation process, which lasted 17 months in total.

Specific instructions were prepared to guide the insertion of comments related to difficulties and decisions taken in the face of dilemmas in the development of the work. It is worth highlighting the relevance of the “comments” field on the translation platform, a device that is part of the electronic structure of ICD-11, intended for adjustments in order to safeguard the semantic contents. The support and planning team was responsible for evaluating the set of comments recorded by the translators and indicating the pertinence of developing and deepening some of them in the proposal format, in case incompleteness or inadequacies were found in the content of the original version in English.

Admitting the need for standardization of common terms to be translated, the strategy was to have a commission of senior medical specialists in information systems and in the ICD itself. The commission’s mission was to draw up agreements to translate recurrent acronyms, expressions, acronyms or abbreviations, among other terms that are part of the text of ICD-11. This commission also represented an important support for the coordination in the discussion of translation impasses that occurred in the first stage of the work process. Examples of so-called translation agreements are shown in Chart 1.

Considerations on the ICD-11 translation process in Brazil

More than 1.2 million terms were translated, including code titles and category descriptions of 26 chapters and two supplementary sections, between August 2021 and December 2022. In the first stage, 17 chapters and one supplementary section were translated; in the second, there were seven chapters; and in the third, the last two chapters and supplementary section. Figure 1 and Chart 2 present the completion period of each stage of the translation process and the estimated number of terms translated per chapter and section.

Although the feasibility of the deadline defined by the requesting institutions represented a huge challenge for the work to be carried out, the technical competence and responsibility of the specialists involved ensured the completion in time and the quality of the now finalized translated version. The usability of the electronic translation platform, which made it possible to enter the translated terms directly on the website while reading the original text, was a great facilitator of the work. Knowledge of the infrastructure and functioning of health information systems in Brazil and the accumulated experience of public health professionals and highly qualified coding technicians undoubtedly strengthened the translation process presented above.

The insertion of specialist translators in the complex universe of ICD-11 was permeated with surprises, discoveries, and challenges that motivated the work. In this scenario, however, the barriers encountered were seen as steps toward the consolidation of a consistent and robust classification system. The standardization of some terms and operations common to the translation process proved to be useful to optimize the work. Thus, during its development, new agreements were created to guide the translation of terms that are frequent in more than one chapter, observing the specificities of each area. Production of instructions and agreements, on the one hand, doubts and discoveries, on the other, underpinned the dynamic nature of the process of translating ICD-11 into Portuguese. In summary, groups of translators and support and planning staff worked interactively.

For the near future, revisions and adjustments of the finalized version for the current Portuguese language in other countries are planned. The result of this process will be essential to improve the version on screen before its availability scheduled for the end of 2023. This is the first stage of the ICD-11 implementation process, and, for this, in accordance with WHO indications¹⁰10. World Health Organization. ICD-11 implementation or transition guide [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019 [acessado em 22 mai. 2023]. Disponível em: https://icd.who.int/en/docs/ICD-11%20Implementation%20or%20Transition%20Guide_v105.pdf
https://icd.who.int/en/docs/ICD-11%20Imp... , it is essential to have a national center for technical reference and management of the implementation of ICD-11, which is also responsible for translating its frequent updates. Organizing, adjusting, and maintaining existing classification systems during the transition to ICD-11, assessing the technological infrastructure and developing training programs for coding professionals, identifying possible impacts on existing statistical systems, including and training physicians and managers in a network for sustaining and disseminating are other key interventions in the ICD-11 implementation process in the country. Digital Health has demanded new impulses in the country, in which ICD-11, with its new structure, will improve the generation of more accurate statistics.

The availability of an official version of ICD-11 for the Portuguese language will allow its implementation in Portuguese-speaking countries, contributing to the continuous qualification of health information systems in these countries. To absorb the advances of ICD-11, efficient structuring actions will be necessary in its implementation, especially with regard to the characteristics and structures of the national systems. It will be necessary to meet local needs regarding access to technology and health training, considering the demands of different professionals, whether they are in the management of systems or inserted in routine clinical practice or, even, inserted in the production of statistical information, among other spheres of activity in the field of public health.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Our acknowledgment and special thanks to doctors Delmason Carvalho, Fábio Garani, Heloísa Di Nubila, Márcia Mazzei, and Maria de Fátima Diniz, who were part of the support group in clarifying the translators’ doubts and defining agreements in the translation of ICD-11, and to Marcellus V. A. Peixoto and Danielle Souza, for IT and administrative support. We also appreciate the support and trust of the members of the Technical Advisory Board for the Management of the Family of Classifications (Câmara Técnica Assessora para a Gestão da Família de Classificações – CTA Br-FIC) of the Ministry of Health.

References

Publication Dates

History