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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Identify and compare learning needs, levels of self-efficacy and their association among inpatients and outpatients of a cardiac care unit with coronary heart disease who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a Swiss university hospital. BACKGROUND After primary PCI, 42% of patients will suffer a recurrent ischemic cardiovascular event. Although adherence to therapeutic regimen contributes to prevent recurrence, patient adherence remains low. To strengthen it, learning needs and self-efficacy must be considered when developing effective therapeutic patient education (TPE). METHODS Learning needs and self-efficacy were assessed using the Cardiac Patient Learning Needs Inventory (CPLNI) and the Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale among inpatients and outpatients. The STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies was used in reporting this study. RESULTS Ninety-three patients participated in the study with a participation rate of 73.9%. The CPLNI median total score was significantly higher in inpatients than in outpatients: 4.23 (3.82, 4.64) versus 3.67 (3.33, 4.09), p < .001. In both units, participants declared that the most important need was related to 'anatomy and physiology' of the heart. Despite the high score, the least important need was about 'physical activity' for inpatients and 'miscellaneous information' for outpatients. No statistically significant differences were found among patients from both units regarding their self-efficacy level. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that after PCI, patients have high learning needs and moderate levels of self-efficacy that require addressing. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Patient's individual learning needs and self-efficacy level must be assessed prior/after PCI. A tailored TPE that considers individual learning needs and self-efficacy is recommended as a preventative measure to reduce recurrent ischemic cardiovascular events. Nurses can play a key role in this process. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION For feasibility reasons, patients and public were not involved in the design, conduct, reporting or dissemination plans of this research.