Dr. Barry John Pronold, MD

Fundamentally, a doctor must maintain an accurate medical record to reflect all diagnoses and current health problems. Before my GI consult with Dr. Barry Pronold, my PCP scanned all my gastroenterology records into the St. Peter's MyChart for his reference. In addition, I brought all the paper copies in a small stack in chronological order with the most recent colonoscopy on top. Beforehand, Dr. Pronold evidently did not scrutinize the electronic scans, and I watched him set aside the hard copies on his desk at the exam. Instead, in his 'Patient Care Summary,' Dr, Pronold recorded 'condylomata' as an 'active problem' even though there was a record about 'destruction of lesion.' Moreover, Dr. Pronold listed (1) depression, (2) anxiety, and (3) COPD as active problems when my PCP did not include any of these in the St. Peter's MyChart.

Fundamentally, a doctor must keep an accurate medical record that reflects all diagnoses and current health problems. For a GI consult, I brought all paper records in a small stack in chronological order with the most recent colonoscopy on top. I watched him set aside the hard copies on his desk. In his 'Patient Care Summary,' Dr. Pronold listed (1) Depression, (2) Anxiety, and (3) COPD as active problems when my PCP does not include any of these in the St. Peter's MyChart.

Barry Pronold MD at Samaritan Hospital's Upstate Gastroenterology Associates is a proceduralist who only knows a routine colonscopy. If you present a serious gastroenterological problem outside the box, avoid him. I scheduled a "comprehensive GI consult" about "abdominal pain." My St. Peter's PCP reviewed out-of-state records for past colonoscopies and colon surgery to produce an "Assessment and Plan" that included abdominal pain, personal history of polyps, drug-induced constipation, umbilical hernia, and low-back pain after eating. Dr. Pronould set aside this plan and all past records -- in the room for only 15 minutes but billed Medicare for 45 minutes. His "Patient Care Summary" cites only the diagnoses of colonic polyps and chronic constipation. Instead of citing "abdominal pain" as the reason for the refereral, he stated the only purpose as "colon cancer screening." Immediately, I consulted the New York State Department of Health's Office of Professional Medical Conduct for… record amendments.

Barry Pronold MD at Samaritan Hospital's Upstate Gastroenterology Associates is a proceduralist who only knows a routine colonscopy. If you present a serious gastroenterolotical problem outside the box, avoid him. I scheduled a "comprehensive GI consult" about "abdominal pain." My St. Peter's PCP reviewed out-of-state records for past colonoscopies and colon surgery to produce an "Assessment and Plan" that included abdominal pain, personal history of polyps, drug-induced constipation, umbilical hernia, and low-back pain after eating. Dr. Pronould set aside this plan and all past records -- in the room for only 15 minutes but billed Medicare for 45 minutes. His "Patient Care Summary" cites only the diagnoses of colonic polyps and chronic constipation. Instead of citing "abdominal pain" as the reason for the refereral, he stated the only purpose as "colon cancer screening." Immediately, I consulted the New York State Department of Health for record amendments. Simply put, a dismissive… and lazy gastroenterologist.

Dr Pronold and staff did an excellent job on my Endiscopy and Colonoscopy. They explained in detail what would transpire . I can’t forget Inez at the office who followed up with me and made me feel safe

Dr Pronold is so easy to talk with. He explains procedures, reasoning for them as well as results. He was very kind to me (the patient) and to my Mom who tagged along with me. He showed me pictures of my ulcers and his prescribed treatment eliminated them quickly. Because of the nature of his work, it could potentially be a bit awkward. Not with Dr Pronold however. He made me feel very comfortable. I highly recommend him.

Dr Pronold and his staff were relaxed but also efficient and professional. I felt very much at ease from the first meeting (where we discussed the procedure and my preparation for it) to the procedure itself 2 weeks later. Everything went smoothly the morning of colonoscopy and I was home resting by mid morning, only 2 1/2 hours after I was scheduled.

I've had colonoscopies for about 20 years (every 3-5 years). Dr. Pronold is the best of all the gastroenterologists I've ever had. He is well informed, knowledgeable, and shares information with his patients. He is very approachable. I am confident that my needs and well being are in good hands with Dr. Pronold.