Published: 03/10/2020
When Hannah Wild was a senior in college, she was diagnosed with cancer. Her condition was treatable, but she was struck by interactions with doctors who tried — but failed — to connect with her, using words that seemed rehearsed rather than heartfelt.
Now a fourth-year medical student at Stanford, Wild reflected on her experience as a patient and the importance of authentic communication in an essay published in Health Affairs. I spoke with her to learn more.