Jennifer Barton, MD, is an academic rheumatologist with a research focus on health communication and rheumatic diseases. Dr. Barton has received a career development award from the American College of Rheumatology as well as a Hellman Family Early Career Award to study patient-physician discordance around assessment of disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis. 

She has conducted research on disparities in utilization and outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Barton and colleagues have developed a low literacy medication summary guide and decision aid tool for patients with rheumatoid arthritis with funding from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Dr. Barton continues to focus her research on the development and implementation of educational materials, decision support tools, and other interventions to enhance communication for vulnerable populations with rheumatic disease. 

In her ongoing and pending research grants, Dr. Barton draws on her expertise in the field of health communication, health disparities and the rheumatic diseases as well as her work as a clinical rheumatologist serving Veterans at the Portland VA Medical Center.