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...