Making Science Articles Easier to Read: Can AI Help?

Understanding health information is key to staying well. Experts suggest medical details should be written like for a sixth-grader. But often, even patients struggle with scientific articles. They're tricky! Our team looked at how big language models (LLMs) can make these articles easier to read. We know they can help simplify health info online. Now, we're checking if they can help patients dive into science too. Patients might want to read the same stuff scientists do. That's where LLMs come in. They can break down complex words and ideas into simpler bits. This makes it easier for anyone to grasp the main points. We tested this with articles about eye health. The results? LLMs can indeed help patients get the gist of scientific texts. But wait, there's a catch. While LLMs can make things clearer, they shouldn't replace human experts. Doctors and scientists still play a big role in explaining and interpreting complex health info. LLMs can be a helpful tool, but they're not a replacement. So, what's next? We need more research to figure out how best to use these models. They could be a game-changer in helping patients understand their health better. But for now, they're just one part of the puzzle.

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