Using ChatGPT and Google Bard to improve the readability of written patient information: A proof-of-concept.

Patient information materials often tend to be written at a reading level that is too advanced for patients. In this proof-of-concept study, we used ChatGPT and Google Bard to reduce the reading level of three selected patient information sections from scientific journals. ChatGPT successfully improved readability. However, it could not achieve the recommended sixth-grade reading level. Bard reached the reading level of sixth-graders, but oversimplified the texts by omitting up to 83% of the content. Despite the present limitations, developers of patient information are encouraged to employ large language models, preferably ChatGPT, to optimize their materials.