Results: Respondents (N=108) were ethnically diverse; 25% patients and 18% caregivers had household incomes less than $20 K. Patients reported high levels of intrusion (18.5±9.2) and avoidance (20.2±8.8). Caregiver levels were also high for intrusion (15.0± 10.0)and avoidance (17.8± 10.1). Based on clinical cut-offs,82% reported stress within moderate to severe levels. Due to care costs,74% patients depleted savings,44% downsized living accommodations; 32% caregivers worked extra jobs to help pay for care,60% reported extra stress at work. To reduce costs,49% patients delayed seeking psychological counseling. Among patients, increased intrusion correlated with having no one to help with insurance questions (p<.0001). Increased avoidance was associated with delay in seeking psychological counseling (p<.0001) and less awareness of co-pay assistance (p<.0001). 33% patients and 40% caregivers felt too overwhelmed to apply for financial help. Discussion: These data suggest that managing cancer costs is associated with clinically significant stress levels. Those with greatest need may not seek help, underscoring the need for programs that help families manage the stress related to the cost of care. The patient-provider relationship and specifically physicians' ability to communicate empathy greatly impacts chronic disease management. Empathetic communication is significant in navigating difficult circumstances like dealing with oncology patients. Unfortunately, research demonstrates that empathy declines in 75% of medical students as they advance in their training. There is growing recognition that medical education must address this decline in empathy and properly prepare physicians to work with diverse patients. However traditional educational techniques in India are unlikely to meet this need. Experiential learning may be used to address this problem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of faculty-supervised and selfinstructional listening micro skills training in increasing the responsiveness of medical students to the psychosocial needs of cancer patients and their families during medical student-patientfamily member interviews. This study employed a randomized controlled design. Two multiple baseline across subjects designs of four baselines each were used for the study.