Data from: A randomised trial deploying a simulation to investigate the impact of hospital discharge letters on patient care in general practice.

Objective: To determine how the timing and length of hospital discharge
letters impact on the number of ongoing patient problems identified by
general practitioners (GPs). Trial design: GPs were randomised into four
groups. Each viewed a video monologue of an actor-patient as he might
present to his GP following a hospital admission with 10 problems. GPs
were provided with a medical record as well as a long or short discharge
letter, which was available when the video was viewed or 1 week later. GPs
indicated if they would prescribe, refer or order tests for the
patient's problems. Methods: Setting: Primary care. Participants:
Practising Australian GPs. Intervention: A short or long hospital
discharge letter enumerating patient problems. Outcome measure: Number of
ongoing patient problems out of 10 identified for management by the GPs.
Randomisation: 1:1 randomisation. Blinding (masking): Single-blind.
Results: Numbers randomised 59 GPs. Recruitment: GPs were recruited from a
network of 102 GPs across Australia. Numbers analysed 59 GPs. Outcome: GPs
who received the long letter immediately were more satisfied with this
information (p<0.001). Those who received the letter immediately
identified significantly more health problems (p=0.001). GPs who received
a short, delayed discharge letter were less satisfied than those who
received a longer delayed letter (p=0.03); however, both groups who
received the delayed letter identified a similar number of health
problems. GPs who were older, who practised in an inner regional area or
who offered more patient sessions per week identified fewer health
problems (p values <0.01, <0.05 and <0.05,
respectively). Harms Nil. Conclusions: Receiving information during
patient consultation, as well as GP characteristics, influences the number
of patient problems addressed.