Consumer continuous intention to use of E-health services after COVID-19 pandemic: An extended UTAUT2 model

The rapid acceleration of digital healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped how individuals access medical services worldwide. This study examines the factors influencing consumers’ continuous intention to use e-health services in Egypt in the post-COVID-19 period. Although the pandemic encouraged the initial adoption of digital health solutions, limited research has explored the determinants of sustained usage after the crisis. Drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) and extending it with trust and self-efficacy, this study evaluates how technological, social, and psychological aspects shape long-term engagement with e-health platforms. A survey of 496 Egyptian users was analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that effort expectancy, social influence, trust, and price value significantly predict continued intention, whereas performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, and self-efficacy do not. The results highlight that usability, credibility, and perceived value are essential for maintaining engagement beyond the pandemic. Theoretically, the study contributes by shifting attention from adoption to continuous use and by contextualising UTAUT2 within developing-country digital health ecosystems. Practically, it provides insights for healthcare providers and policymakers seeking to encourage long-term utilisation of digital health services in the post-pandemic era.