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Professor Tracy Comans
Professor

Tracy Comans

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Overview

Background

Professor Tracy Comans, a UQ Amplify Fellow at the Centre for Health Services Research, University of Queensland, and an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, is renowned for her innovative application of economics in multifaceted health services contexts. Her pioneering work involves the creation of comprehensive models that extend beyond traditional economic models, enabling a broader assessment of benefits and costs.

In addition to her model development, Professor Comans applies these economic models to explore the cost-effectiveness of various health care interventions. She spearheads and cultivates health services research with a particular focus on older individuals, allied health, and rehabilitation services.

With a solid academic foundation in both physiotherapy and economics (Hons), Professor Comans brings a unique perspective to her research. Her clinical background as a physiotherapist, specializing in aged care, dementia, and rehabilitation, further enriches her work. Her expertise was recognized with a NHMRC Boosting Dementia Fellowship, which she held from 2017 to 2021.

Currently, Professor Comans is making significant strides in measuring the quality of care for older individuals. This work holds substantial potential for impacting the health and aged care industry. As our population ages, the demand for high-quality health care services tailored to the needs of older individuals is escalating. Despite this, there is a lack of agreement on what constitutes quality care for this demographic, and existing measures may not fully capture the aspects of care most important to them. Professor Comans’ work is instrumental in addressing this critical issue.

Availability

Professor Tracy Comans is:
Not available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor of Economics, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor (Honours) of Economics, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Postgraduate Diploma of Biostatistics, University of Sydney

Works

Search Professor Tracy Comans’s works on UQ eSpace

236 works between 2008 and 2026

1 - 20 of 236 works

Featured

2020

Journal Article

Valuing the AD-5D dementia utility instrument: an estimation of a general population tariff

Comans, Tracy A., Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Ratcliffe, Julie, Rowen, Donna and Mulhern, Brendan (2020). Valuing the AD-5D dementia utility instrument: an estimation of a general population tariff. PharmacoEconomics, 38 (8), 871-881. doi: 10.1007/s40273-020-00913-7

Valuing the AD-5D dementia utility instrument: an estimation of a general population tariff

2026

Journal Article

A cluster randomized controlled trial (GOAL trial) evaluated a comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people with chronic kidney disease

Logan, Benignus, Viecelli, Andrea K., Johnson, David W., Comans, Tracy, Gordon, Emily H., Gray, Leonard C., Hawley, Carmel M., Hickey, Laura E., Janda, Monika, Jaure, Allison, Jose, Matthew D., Kiriwandeniya, Charani, Matsuyama, Misa, Mihala, Gabor, Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Pascoe, Elaine M., Paul-Brent, Peta-Anne, Pole, Jason D., Polkinghorne, Kevan R., Pond, Constance D., Raj, Rajesh, Reidlinger, Donna M., Scholes-Robertson, Nicole, Valks, Andrea, Wong, Germaine, Hubbard, Ruth E. and GOAL Trial Investigators (2026). A cluster randomized controlled trial (GOAL trial) evaluated a comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people with chronic kidney disease. Kidney International. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2026.05.015

A cluster randomized controlled trial (GOAL trial) evaluated a comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people with chronic kidney disease

2026

Conference Publication

Planning for the assessment needs for people with dementia in Australia - The use of linked datasets

Flicker, Leon, Trevenen, Michelle, Fitzgerald, Patrick, Dobson, Annette, Comans, Tracy and Almeida, Osvaldo P. (2026). Planning for the assessment needs for people with dementia in Australia - The use of linked datasets. HOBOKEN: WILEY.

Planning for the assessment needs for people with dementia in Australia - The use of linked datasets

2026

Conference Publication

The change aged care needs-A simulation study investigating the impact of realistic intervention scenarios on quality in long-term care facilities

Schwabe, Johannes, Caughey, Gillian E., Jorissen, Robert N., Pulling, Brian W., Harries, Dylan, Comans, Tracy, Sluggett, Janet K. and Inacio, Maria C. (2026). The change aged care needs-A simulation study investigating the impact of realistic intervention scenarios on quality in long-term care facilities. HOBOKEN: WILEY.

The change aged care needs-A simulation study investigating the impact of realistic intervention scenarios on quality in long-term care facilities

2026

Conference Publication

Comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people living with chronic kidney disease-A cluster randomised controlled trial (the GOAL trial)

Logan, Benignus, Viecelli, Andrea K., Johnson, David W., Comans, Tracy, Gordon, Emily, Gray, Len, Hawley, Carmel, Hickey, Laura, Janda, Monika, Jaure, Allison, Jose, Matthew, Kiriwandeniya, Charani, Matsuyama, Misa, Mihala, Gabor, Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Pascoe, Elaine, Paul-Brent, Peta-Anne, Pole, Jason, Polkinghorne, Kevan, Pond, Constance, Raj, Rajesh, Reidlinger, Donna, Scholes-Robertson, Nicole, Valks, Andrea, Wong, Germaine and Hubbard, Ruth Eleanor (2026). Comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people living with chronic kidney disease-A cluster randomised controlled trial (the GOAL trial). HOBOKEN: WILEY.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people living with chronic kidney disease-A cluster randomised controlled trial (the GOAL trial)

2026

Journal Article

Fifty Years of Ageing Research: From Evidence to Impact

Comans, Tracy (2026). Fifty Years of Ageing Research: From Evidence to Impact. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 45 (2) e70194, 2. doi: 10.1111/ajag.70194

Fifty Years of Ageing Research: From Evidence to Impact

2026

Journal Article

Ten Years of Innovation: Transforming Research in Ageing Through the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration ( <scp>MARC</scp> )

Batchelor, Frances, Williams, Sue, O'Connor, Debra, Dow, Briony, Catrice, Andre, Dopierala, Wanda, White, Primrose, Murray, Michael, Chong, Terence W. H., Hutchinson, Alison M., Yates, Paul, Tropea, Joanne, Lim, Kwang, Aberdeen, Suzanne, Walsh, Tony, O'Leary, Sarah, Davison, Tanya, Guinane, John, Naccarella, Lucio, Than, Stephanie, Low, Adrian, Yong, Shi‐Jynn, Lange, Peter and Comans, Tracy (2026). Ten Years of Innovation: Transforming Research in Ageing Through the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration ( MARC ). Australasian Journal on Ageing, 45 (2) e70193. doi: 10.1111/ajag.70193

Ten Years of Innovation: Transforming Research in Ageing Through the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration ( <scp>MARC</scp> )

2026

Journal Article

Proxy reports on the EQ-5D-5L in residential aged care facilities: a validation study

Dao-Tran, Tiet-Hanh, Keramat, Syed Afroz, Etherton-Beer, Christopher, Page, Amy, Naganathan, Vasi, Mangin, Dee, Potter, Kathleen, Hilmer, Sarah and Comans, Tracy (2026). Proxy reports on the EQ-5D-5L in residential aged care facilities: a validation study. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. doi: 10.1186/s12955-026-02553-5

Proxy reports on the EQ-5D-5L in residential aged care facilities: a validation study

2026

Journal Article

Informal caregiving for elderly or disabled in the families and caregivers’ subjective, affective, and financial well-being: findings from fifteen waves of an Australian population-based panel study

Rana, Rezwanul, Keramat, Syed Afroz, Cutler, Henry and Comans, Tracy (2026). Informal caregiving for elderly or disabled in the families and caregivers’ subjective, affective, and financial well-being: findings from fifteen waves of an Australian population-based panel study. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 21 (2), 659-694. doi: 10.1007/s11482-025-10542-x

Informal caregiving for elderly or disabled in the families and caregivers’ subjective, affective, and financial well-being: findings from fifteen waves of an Australian population-based panel study

2026

Journal Article

Deprescribing in older people: a clinical practice guideline summary

Quek, Hui Wen, Reus Perello, Xisco, Lee, Kenneth, Abraham, Atinuke, Adams, Leon A., Almeida, Osvaldo P., Almutairi, Hend, Armstrong, Bree, Boase, Leanne, Breen, Juanita, Brown, Lauren J., Caughey, Gillian E., Chan, Lewis W., Chen, Roger, Chew, Edward, Clark, Antony, Comans, Tracy, Criddle, Deirdre, Dārziņš, Pēteris, Dawda, Paresh, Doust, Jenny A., Edwards, Sue, Gowan, Jennifer, Hart, Kerryn, Hawthorne, Deborah, Heredia, Andrew, Hill, Anne‐Marie, Jansen, Jesse, Kalisch Ellett, Lisa ... Page, Amy T. (2026). Deprescribing in older people: a clinical practice guideline summary. Medical Journal of Australia, 224 (4) e70174, 1-12. doi: 10.5694/mja2.70174

Deprescribing in older people: a clinical practice guideline summary

2026

Journal Article

Emergency Department Utilisation and Related Costs in People With and Without Dementia in Their Last Years of Life

Balasooriya, Namal N., Dao‐Tran, Tiet‐Hanh, Batchelor, Frances and Comans, Tracy (2026). Emergency Department Utilisation and Related Costs in People With and Without Dementia in Their Last Years of Life. Emergency Medicine Australasia, 38 (2) e70258, e70258. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.70258

Emergency Department Utilisation and Related Costs in People With and Without Dementia in Their Last Years of Life

2026

Journal Article

Valuing quality in aged care: a cost-benefit framework for interRAI implementation

Comans, Tracy, Kenny, Danelle, Balasooriya, Namal N., de Almeida Mello, Johanna, Gray, Leonard C. and Welch, Alyssa (2026). Valuing quality in aged care: a cost-benefit framework for interRAI implementation. Healthcare Management Forum, 39 (2), 85-92. doi: 10.1177/08404704251390469

Valuing quality in aged care: a cost-benefit framework for interRAI implementation

2026

Journal Article

Clinicians with formal research qualifications undertaking dual clinical and research activities should be titled and recognised as ‘clinician scientists’

Buttrum, Peter, Young, Adrienne, Eley, Diann, Banks, Merrilyn, Marsh, Nicole, Cruickshank, Mark, Elliott, James, Talley, Nicholas J., Comans, Tracy, Bell, Scott C. and O'Leary, Shaun (2026). Clinicians with formal research qualifications undertaking dual clinical and research activities should be titled and recognised as ‘clinician scientists’. International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 41 (2), 411-414. doi: 10.1002/hpm.70046

Clinicians with formal research qualifications undertaking dual clinical and research activities should be titled and recognised as ‘clinician scientists’

2026

Conference Publication

The goal trial-comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people living with chronic kidney disease

Logan, B., Viecelli, A., Johnson, D., Comans, T., Gordon, E., Gray, L., Hawley, C., Hickey, L., Janda, M., Jaure, A., Jose, M., Kiriwandeniya, C., Matsuyama, M., Mihala, G., Nguyen, K., Pascoe, E., Paul-Brent, P., Pole, J., Polkinghorne, K., Pond, C., Raj, R., Reidlinger, D., Scholes-Robertson, N., Valks, A., Wong, G. and Hubbard, R. E. (2026). The goal trial-comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people living with chronic kidney disease. British Geriatrics Society Autumn Meeting 2025, Nottingham, United Kingdom and online, 12-14 November 2025. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afaf368.141

The goal trial-comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people living with chronic kidney disease

2026

Journal Article

Characteristics and longitudinal clinical outcomes of people with type 2 diabetes in regional areas accessing a tertiary telehealth service: a retrospective cohort study

Tornvall, Ida, Bennetts, Denise, Balasooriya, Namal N., Comans, Tracy, Russell, Anthony W. and Menon, Anish (2026). Characteristics and longitudinal clinical outcomes of people with type 2 diabetes in regional areas accessing a tertiary telehealth service: a retrospective cohort study. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 32 (1), 50-59. doi: 10.1177/1357633x251314290

Characteristics and longitudinal clinical outcomes of people with type 2 diabetes in regional areas accessing a tertiary telehealth service: a retrospective cohort study

2026

Journal Article

Reporting aged care quality data monthly, quarterly, or annually? A cross-sectional study of 349 613 residents and 2803 long-Term care facilities

Jorissen, Robert N., Caughey, Gillian E., Harries, Dylan, Schwabe, Johannes, Pulling, Brian W., Comans, Tracy, Inacio, Maria C. and ACAC QMET Collaborators (2026). Reporting aged care quality data monthly, quarterly, or annually? A cross-sectional study of 349 613 residents and 2803 long-Term care facilities. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 38 (1) mzag018, 1-9. doi: 10.1093/intqhc/mzag018

Reporting aged care quality data monthly, quarterly, or annually? A cross-sectional study of 349 613 residents and 2803 long-Term care facilities

2025

Conference Publication

Evaluation of stakeholder engagement in participatory action research to codesign a core outcome set for routine care provided to people living with dementia

Kenny, Danelle, Nunn, Jack, Welch, Alyssa, Tran, Hanh Dao and Comans, Tracy (2025). Evaluation of stakeholder engagement in participatory action research to codesign a core outcome set for routine care provided to people living with dementia. Unknown, Unknown, Unknown. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/alz70860_100653

Evaluation of stakeholder engagement in participatory action research to codesign a core outcome set for routine care provided to people living with dementia

2025

Journal Article

Scales to measure core outcomes for the quality of dementia care in home or residential aged care facilities: a rapid review

Dao-Tran, Tiet-Hanh, Kenny, Danelle, Welch, Alyssa, Brittain, Debbie, Lendich, Karyn, Thompson, Jane, Parkin, Bronte, Nunn, Jack S., Vos, Greta and Comans, Tracy (2025). Scales to measure core outcomes for the quality of dementia care in home or residential aged care facilities: a rapid review. BMJ Open, 15 (12) e096517, e096517. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096517

Scales to measure core outcomes for the quality of dementia care in home or residential aged care facilities: a rapid review

2025

Conference Publication

How to perform cost‐benefit analysis for interventions related to dementia

Dao‐Tran, Tiet‐Hanh, Comans, Tracy, Balasooriya, Namal, Simpson, Digby, Low, Lee‐Fay, Barcenilla‐Wong, Annica, Vasquez, Paola and Nguyen, Kim‐Huong (2025). How to perform cost‐benefit analysis for interventions related to dementia. Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2025, Toronto, Canada, 27-31 July 2025. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/alz70860_104121

How to perform cost‐benefit analysis for interventions related to dementia

2025

Journal Article

Valuation of the Alzheimer's disease 5 dimensions instrument: a discrete choice experiment with life duration in Chile

Araya-Ríos, Daniel A., Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Comans, Tracy A. and Trépel, Dominic (2025). Valuation of the Alzheimer's disease 5 dimensions instrument: a discrete choice experiment with life duration in Chile. Value in Health Regional Issues, 50 101148, 101148. doi: 10.1016/j.vhri.2025.101148

Valuation of the Alzheimer's disease 5 dimensions instrument: a discrete choice experiment with life duration in Chile

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2028
    The clinical and cost effectiveness of the Action Falls rehabilitation programme compared to usual care alone to reduce falls in stroke survivors (The FISS-AUSTRALIA trial)
    NHMRC-National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaborative Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2029
    Derivation, Validation and Implementation of a Digital Frailty Index for Acute Care Settings in Queensland
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    The clinical and cost-effectiveness of lumbar fusion surgery for patients with persistent, severe low back pain: FusiOn veRsus bEst coNServative Care (the FORENSIC trial)
    NHMRC-National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaborative Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Australian Cerebral Palsy Musculoskeletal Health Network
    NHMRC MRFF EPCDR - Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions in Children and Adolescents
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    DRIVE CP: Directing Research In Very Early Cerebral Palsy (NHMRC CRE administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2028
    ACTIVE KNEECAPs! tArgeted effeCTIVE treatments for adolescent KNEECAP pain
    NHMRC MRFF EPCDR - Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions in Children and Adolescents
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Optimising functional and social independence and safety of older people living with dementia in care homes: Implementation research (NHMRC Partnership Projects administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Reverse or Anatomical (replacement) for Painful Shoulder Osteoarthritis: Differences between Interventions. Acronym; RAPSODI (NHMRC-NIHR grant administered by Deakin University).
    Deakin University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    Centre of Research Excellence - REduce the burden of antimicrobial reSistance through oPtimal, persONalised Dosing (RESPOND)
    NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    The Enhanced Advance care planning & life Review Longitudinal Intervention (EARLI) study: Increasing proactive care planning in Australian community aged care settings (NHMRC TCR administered by UNSW)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2028
    ACTIVE STRIDES-CP: Randomised trial of Intensive Rehabilitation (Combined Intensive Gait and Cycling Training) for children with moderate to severe bilateral cerebral palsy
    NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    4CD - Connecting Care for Complex Chronic Disease - Diabetes [REMODeL an Integrated Model of Care for Diabetes (Re-IMCD)] (Metro South HHS Research Support Scheme grant administered by MNHHS)
    Metro South Health Research Support Scheme Project Grant
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    To know me is to understand me: Digital life story packages in dementia care transitions (MRFF DAAC externally led by Australian National University (ANU)
    The Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Evaluation of primary care and help-seeking promotion programs to increase dementia diagnosis and early treatment (MRFF DAAC Grant administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Equity Framework: System Analysis
    Health and Wellbeing Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Taking a whole of day approach to optimising activity to prevent dementia in people with type 2 diabetes (NHMRC Boosting Dementia Research Grant led by USQ)
    University of Southern Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    The harms and benefits of sun exposure: striking the right balance (Cancer Australia PdCCRS grant led by QIMR Berghofer)
    QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Alignment, Harmonisation, and Results: translating Core Outcome Measures to Improve Care (COM-IC) for People Living with Dementia into Australian practice
    NHMRC MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    School Readiness child outcomes of early neuroprotection/ early neurorehabilitation for infants at high risk of Cerebral Palsy- in the first 2,000 days
    NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Maternal Health and First 2000 Days, Early Childhood, and Exercise and Nutrition
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Digital Hospital: A cost-benefit analysis to inform business cases
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Taking a whole of day approach to optimising activity to prevent dementia in people with type 2 diabetes
    Boosting Dementia Research Grants (PR5): Implementing Dementia Risk Reduction and Prevention Research
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    The GOAL Trial: Comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people with chronic kidney disease to increase attainment of patient-identified goals: A cluster randomised controlled trial
    NHMRC Targeted Research
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Improving Australia's Dementia Statistic
    Boosting Dementia Research Grants Scheme (PR6): Improving Dementia Data and Methods
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Implementation of GLA:D in Queensland public health services: towards a standardised non-surgical management approach for hip and knee osteoarthritis
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    A trial to evaluate innovative models of respite care. Implementing an inter-generational community day care centre for Australians living with cognitive decline (and carers) and younger...
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Develop a preference based measure to value quality of life for people with a diagnosis of dementia or cognitive decline - under 9100000 (NHMRC Partnership Centre administered by University Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Sustainable, Cost Effective, Smart Assisted Independent Living - Smarter Safer Homes (SCEFSAIL-SSH) (DACS grant administered by CSIRO)
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2019
    The Partnership Centre on Dealing with Cognitive and Related Functional Decline in Older People (NHMRC Partnership Centre administered by The University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    A workplace-based exercise intervention to prevent and reduce the economic and personal burden of non-specific neck pain in the office personnel
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Tracy Comans is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving diabetes care with digital health

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr David Chua

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Professor Tracy Comans's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au