Aims Disease management programmes (DMPs) have evolved as an innovative clinical practice system to enhance the discharge outcomes of older people with heart failure. Yet, clinical trials which have examined their effectiveness have reported inconsistent findings. This may be explained by variations in the design of DMPs. The aim is to identify the characteristics of DMPs which are crucial to reducing hospital readmission and/or mortality of older people with heart failure. Methods and results A systematic computerized search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials of the last 10 years, which examined the effects of DMPs on hospital readmission and mortality of older people with heart failure. The identified DMPs were classified as effective and ineffective, according to statistically significant changes in discharge outcomes. Twenty-one trials were identified, 11 (52.4%) of which reported DMPs improving the discharge outcomes of older people with heart failure. The results indicate that an effective DMP should be multi-faceted and consists of an in-hospital phase of care, intensive patient education, self-care supportive strategy, optimization of medical regimen, and ongoing surveillance and management of clinical deterioration. Cardiac nurse and cardiologist should be actively involved and a flexible approach should be adopted to deliver the follow-up care. Conclusion This study defines precisely the characteristics of the care team and the organization content and delivery method of the DMP which are crucial to enhance the discharge outcomes of older people with heart failure.