The steps we can take now to help our colleague are: to limit the number of people who know about their condition.
Doctors can fully achieve this, as they are obligated to protect their patients' privacy regarding their medical conditions. Student Zhao is worried that Senior Tao will shout out loud and let everyone know about his condition, saying that Tao has already informed his family. Although she believes that Senior Tao wouldn't let the entire world know, it's likely that only the patient's family has been informed. Clarifying this in person can also help our colleague feel at ease during treatment.
Dr. Tao understood the younger student's intentions and smiled, "Don't worry, we won't tell anyone without his consent. We informed Old Zhao because the patient himself would definitely want to inform him. As colleagues in Old Zhao's department, we need to give his family a precise account of the patient's condition."