Table 1.

Healthcare professional–identified implementation requirements and resulting pathway design responses

Implementation domain	Key healthcare professional–identified requirements	Resulting pathway design response
Recognition and professional competency	Improve recognition of sarcopenia as a clinically important complication during NPC treatment and strengthen practical competency in its assessment, monitoring, and management	Integration of sarcopenia prevention into routine supportive care; sarcopenia-focused HCP education; standardised assessment and monitoring procedures; practical tools and role-specific guidance.
Care organisation and multidisciplinary coordination	Establish standardised care processes, clarify professional responsibilities, and strengthen multidisciplinary coordination and decision-making	Defined MDT roles and responsibilities; nurse-led coordination; structured assessment, referral and care-adjustment procedures; trigger-based MDT consultation for complex or escalating needs; scheduled MDT reassessment at key treatment time points
Longitudinal monitoring and continuity of care	Maintain monitoring and supportive care across inpatient, outpatient, and home-based treatment periods, with timely feedback, referral, and individualised adjustment when problems emerge	Baseline assessment and individualised planning; weekly monitoring; reassessment at key treatment time points; longitudinal follow-up; monitoring of nutritional status, physical function, symptoms, adherence, and treatment-related adverse effects
Patient self-management and family-supported care	Strengthen patient education, behavioural reinforcement, and family involvement to support sustained nutrition, exercise, and symptom-management behaviours outside hospital-based encounters	One-to-one education; MDT-reviewed educational materials; theory of planned behaviour–informed behavioural support; tailored feedback; family participation in education and care; home-based guidance for nutrition, exercise, and symptom management

HCP healthcare professional(s), MDT multidisciplinary team, NPC nasopharyngeal carcinoma