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AIM This study aimed to investigate the effects of a peer education on cardiac self-efficacy (CSE) and readmission of the patients undergoing bypass surgery. BACKGROUND Self-efficacy is an antecedent vital factor in both initiating and maintaining healthy behaviours. It significantly improves after effects of heart attacks, anxiety and diminishes the possibility of readmission. DESIGN This study is a randomized-controlled trial. METHOD Sixty patients undergoing bypass surgery were chosen and assigned equally into the control and intervention groups. While routine education was presented to the patients in the control group, intervention group were taught using the peer education in two sessions. CSE of all the selected patients was assessed orderly in 5 days, 4 weeks and 8 months after surgery. Moreover, their readmission was investigated after 8 months from surgery. Data was collected using demographic and the CSE scale. Data were also analysed by using χ2 , Kolmogorov-Smirnov and repeated measures analysis of variance tests. RESULTS The mean score of CSE in the intervention group was significantly different from the corresponding number in the control group in all three stages of data collecting (p < 0·001). Compared to the control group, a smaller number of the patients in the intervention group were readmitted to the hospitals after 8 months (p = 0·011). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of peer education has positive effects on CSE in patients who have bypass surgery and reduces their hospital readmission. It can be beneficial to apply this method as an educative-supportive approach in cardiac surgery fields. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Implementation of peer education has positive effects on CSE in these patients and reduces their hospital readmission.