Understanding the factors influencing the continuous usage intention of healthcare apps: analysing the moderating impact of psychological distance and health consciousness

The present research explores the factors influencing consumers’ continuous usage intention (CUI) of healthcare apps with the help of IS continuance theory and commitment trust theory. This study also explores how psychological distance and health consciousness moderate the relationship between consumer satisfaction with healthcare apps and their CUI. Using a survey approach, 386 responses were received. An analysis was performed using a sequential approach with SEM and fsQCA. The findings showed that perceived usefulness, perceived confirmation, trust, satisfaction, affective commitment and calculative commitment directly or indirectly affect the CUI for healthcare apps. A combination of trust, satisfaction, perceived confirmation and calculative commitment achieved outcome sufficiency and resulted in high CUI levels for healthcare apps. Health consciousness positively moderated the association between satisfaction and CUI, whereas psychological distance negatively moderated it. The research findings shed light on marketers/policymakers for wider adoption and continued usage of healthcare apps.