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Background: Communication between general practitioners (GPs) and hospitals is one of the weak points of our health system. Unfortunately, hospital discharge summaries, the cornerstone of this communication, tend to be poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to identify the key elements of hospital discharge summaries, with particular attention to GP expectations.Method: A systematic review of the international literature was conducted by searching Cochrane, Medline, Système universitaire de documentation (SUDoc) and Banque de données en santé publique (BDSP) databases as well as the French journals La Revue du Praticien, Prescrire and Exercer. Results: This database and journal review identified 10,551 publications, 38 of which were finally included in this analysis. The preferred maximum time to reception of the discharge summary was one week. This summary should not exceed four half-pages. The desired content did not differ between GPs and hospital practitioners. GPs expressed the desire for a brief liaison letter given to the patient at the time of discharge. GPs expected the discharge summary to contain the reason for admission, treatment on discharge, the main diagnosis and subsequent management. A standardized and structured form was preferred, but a narrative form was not recommended. Special attention had to be paid to treatment on discharge and outstanding results at the time of discharge. Conclusion: The elements identified from the literature will be used as a basis for a subsequent study designed to formalize discharge summaries for GPs.