Thread by @latimes

Medical device manufacturers and drugmakers must report their payments to doctors.

But physicians aren't required to inform their patients of those relationships, which can create conflicts of interest.

Wendy Knecht is trying to change that.
Thread 👇 latimes.com/california/sto…

After her mother died of breast cancer, Knecht had a double mastectomy to reduce her risk.

Her breast reconstruction surgery left her with nerve damage and in chronic pain. It also led to a malpractice lawsuit and two complaints to the California Medical Board.

Knecht’s lawsuit contended that her doctor's pushing of a device and his failure to inform her of its “off-label” use was driven by his financial relationship with its maker, which federal records show had paid him more than $400,000 to research and promote it.

The medical board closed its investigation of Knecht’s doctor without pursuing disciplinary action.

The vast majority of complaints are resolved that way, according to a Times investigation that found a pattern of leniency in the board’s discipline of doctors.

Dr. Lehfeldt didn't respond to The Times’ requests for an interview. Court records show he denied the allegations in Knecht’s lawsuit.

Lehfeldt and his insurance company ultimately settled Knecht’s lawsuit for $1 million, without admitting liability. latimes.com/california/sto…

The California Medical Board received nearly 90,000 complaints against doctors in the last decade from patients, physicians and others.

But the average time between a complaint and its dismissal or the imposition of discipline is 3+ years.
latimes.com/california/sto…

Here are some ways to get more information about your doctor’s track record: latimes.com/california/sto…