This manual for health care professionals offers practical information on dozens of religious and cultural groups, highlighting issues that health care professionals face when dealing with patients' beliefs surrounding illness, death, and religious observance in a hospital setting. Cultural and religious traditions of different countries are profiled, with information on diet and nutrition, family structure, and attitudes about illness. Profiles of several different branches of Christianity are included for non-Christian health care providers. Final chapters offer guidelines on interpreter services, pastoral care, and meeting the Joint Commission Standards related to culture and religion. Appendices offer standards for emergency baptism, religious objections to blood transfusions, and organ and tissue donation. Rundle is manager of specialty programs at South End Community Health Center. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)