Which type of care occurs after a patient has been seen at a primary care facility?

Specialty care is the correct answer because it specifically refers to healthcare services provided by medical professionals who have advanced training and expertise in a particular area of medicine, following an initial evaluation at a primary care facility. After a primary care physician assesses a patient’s condition, they may refer the patient to a specialist when specialized knowledge or interventions are needed for specific diseases or complex health issues. This could involve various specialties such as cardiology, dermatology, or orthopedics, depending on the patient's needs.

Preventive care focuses on health maintenance and disease prevention, often occurring before the need for treatment, rather than after a primary care visit. Primary care is characterized by the initial healthcare services provided to patients and is not a step that follows primary care. Acute care refers to the treatment of urgent, short-term medical conditions that require immediate attention, typically in a hospital setting, rather than ongoing management following primary care. This distinction illustrates the role of specialty care in the broader healthcare system as an essential follow-up step after primary care evaluations.