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.