Aims and Objectives. The aim of this study was to identify the differences in per- ceived learning needs between cardiac patients who have undergone major coro- nary interventions and their nurses.

Background. The decrease in length of stay after cardiac interventions has sig- nalled an urgent need to provide effective in-hospital health education. Therefore, the content of health education should bridge the gap between nurses’ and patients’ views of what information is important for ensuring patients’ optimum recovery.

Design. A descriptive comparative design was employed.

Methods. Patients were invited to participate if they had undergone angioplasty or bypass surgery and were ready for discharge within 24–48 hours. A conve- nience sample of 365 cardiac patients and 166 cardiac nurses participated in this study. Baseline data on patients’ and nurses’ sociodemographics, clinical history and experience were collected through personal interviews. Then, participants completed the Patient Learning Needs Scale to identify their perceptions of the learning needs after cardiac interventions.

Results. The top-priority learning needs according to both patients and cardiac nurses was information on wound care and medication. In contrast, the lowest- priority learning need was physical activity. Nurses perceived information about physical activity as most needed to patients, whereas patients perceived informa- tion about medications, postintervention complications and postintervention con- cerns as mostly needed.

Conclusion. The disparity between perceptions of patient and nurses on the essen- tial content to be learned highlights the importance of considering both of these parties when establishing health education programmes. In addition, nurses should focus more on information related to the recovery period and immediate needs after discharge.
Relevance to clinical practice. Information about wound care, medication and potential complications should be the core of predischarge education pro- grammes. In addition, nurses should focus on improve patients’ awareness of sec- ondary prevention and lifestyle modification, as patients pay less attention to these vital topics.