Professor Tracy Comans
Professor

Tracy Comans

Email: 

Background

Professor Tracy Comans, UQ Amplify Fellow at the Schoolf of Public Health, University of Queensland, and CEO of the National Ageing Research Institute. With her extensive background in health policy, health economics and physiotherapy, Prof Comans brings a unique perspective to her role, bridging the gap between evidence and policy. Prof Comans has been instrumental in shaping aged care policy, using her research to inform and influence implementation of the Royal Commission recommendations. Her work has led to significant advancements in the reporting of the quality of aged care services.

Her research uses economic theories and tools to understand human behaviours in health, individually and collectively, and their impacts on the health system, the wider economy and society. Prof Comans worked for 20+ years in hospital and community settings specializing in geriatric and rehabilitation physiotherapy with embedded research and has worked for over 15 years as a university researcher. She works closely with industry, people with lived experience and health care providers to develop a program of research focused on improving the quality of aged care services that is relevant to the needs of these groups.

Availability

Professor Tracy Comans is:
Not available for supervision

Fields of research

Aged health care Applied economics Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Economics Health Sciences Health economics

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

Search Professor Tracy Comans’s works on UQ eSpace

238 works between 2008 and 2026
All (238) Book (1) Journal Article (192) Other Outputs (12) Conference Publication (32) Book Chapter (1)

21 - 40 of 238 works

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

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

2025

Other Outputs

Core outcome measures for improving dementia care: plain language summary

Lendich, Karyn, Brittain, Debbie, Kenny, Danelle, Comans, Tracy and Welch, Alyssa (2025). Core outcome measures for improving dementia care: plain language summary. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Core outcome measures for improving dementia care: plain language summary

2025

Other Outputs

Core outcome measures for improving dementia care: public report

Comans, Tracy, Kenny, Danelle, Welch, Alyssa, Dao, Hanh, Brittain, Deb, Lendich, Karyn, Thompson, Jane, Parkin, Bronte and Nunn, Jack (2025). Core outcome measures for improving dementia care: public report. Brisbane, Qld, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Core outcome measures for improving dementia care: public report

2025

Conference Publication

60 Storytelling in advance care planning: a randomised controlled trial in the Australian home care setting

Sinclair, Craig, Walton, Rebecca, Yeoh, Ling, Karusoo-Musumeci, Ava, Crabtree, Melanie, Auret, Kirsten, Clayton, Josephine, Kurrle, Susan, Campbell, Elissa, Halcomb, Elizabeth, Hilgeman, Michelle, Sinclair, Ron, Wei, Ruth and Comans, Tracy (2025). 60 Storytelling in advance care planning: a randomised controlled trial in the Australian home care setting. 9th International Advance Care Planning 2025 Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 24 - 26 September 2025. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Publishing Group. doi: 10.1136/spcare-2025-acp.38

60 Storytelling in advance care planning: a randomised controlled trial in the Australian home care setting

2025

Journal Article

Cost-benefit analysis of interventions for dementia: a scoping review

Comans, Tracy, Dao-Tran, Tiet-Hanh, Balasooriya, Namal, Simpson, Digby, Low, Lee-Fay, Barcenilla-Wong, Annica, Vasquez, Paola, Zhou, Junru and Nguyen, Kim-Huong (2025). Cost-benefit analysis of interventions for dementia: a scoping review. Innovation in Aging, 9 (8) igaf084, 1-10. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igaf084

Cost-benefit analysis of interventions for dementia: a scoping review

2025

Journal Article

Trajectories of health-related quality of life and their association with disability in older Australians

Keramat, Syed Afroz, Nguyen, Nhi, Kenny, Danelle, Hashmi, Rubayyat and Comans, Tracy (2025). Trajectories of health-related quality of life and their association with disability in older Australians. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 135 105864, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2025.105864

Trajectories of health-related quality of life and their association with disability in older Australians

2025

Conference Publication

The COM-IC project: recommendations for core outcome measurement to improve (routine dementia) care quality in Australian aged care settings

Kenny, Danelle, Welch, Alyssa, Dao, Hanh and Comans, Tracy (2025). The COM-IC project: recommendations for core outcome measurement to improve (routine dementia) care quality in Australian aged care settings. ISPOR 2025 Conference, Montreal, Canada, 13-16 May 2025. New York, NY United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2025.04.949

The COM-IC project: recommendations for core outcome measurement to improve (routine dementia) care quality in Australian aged care settings

2025

Journal Article

Long-term care staffing: Associations with facility characteristics, residents’ experience, and quality measures

Harrison, Stephanie L., Harries, Dylan, Fu, Hoi Man, Caughey, Gillian E., Comans, Tracy, Corlis, Megan and Inacio, Maria C. (2025). Long-term care staffing: Associations with facility characteristics, residents’ experience, and quality measures. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 26 (7) 105686, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2025.105686

Long-term care staffing: Associations with facility characteristics, residents’ experience, and quality measures

2025

Conference Publication

Participate-CP 2: Optimising attendance and involvement in physically active leisure for children with cerebral palsy: Phase III multi-site randomized controlled trial.

Sakzewski, Leanne, Reedman, Sarah, Elliott, Catherine, Ziviani, Jenny, Novak, Iona, Trost, Stewart, Majnemer, Annette, Comans, Tracy, Shikako, Keiko, Ware, Robert, McNamara, Lynda, Williams, Sian, Keramat, Syed Afroz, Brookes, Denise and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2025). Participate-CP 2: Optimising attendance and involvement in physically active leisure for children with cerebral palsy: Phase III multi-site randomized controlled trial.. 37th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability (EACD) and 4th Triennial Meeting of the International Alliance of Academies of Childhood Disability (IAACD), Heidelberg, Germany, 24-28 June 2025. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.

Participate-CP 2: Optimising attendance and involvement in physically active leisure for children with cerebral palsy: Phase III multi-site randomized controlled trial.

2025

Journal Article

Identification of core outcomes for quality in routine care provided to people living with dementia in Australia: a multilevel modified Delphi consensus study

Kenny, Danelle, Welch, Alyssa, Dao-Tran, Tiet-Hanh, Lendich, Karyn, Brittain, Debbie, Thompson, Jane, Parkin, Bronte, Nunn, Jack, O’Keefe, Fleur, Semler, Ruth, Davies, Benedict and Comans, Tracy (2025). Identification of core outcomes for quality in routine care provided to people living with dementia in Australia: a multilevel modified Delphi consensus study. BMJ Open, 15 (6) e096059, 1-13. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096059

Identification of core outcomes for quality in routine care provided to people living with dementia in Australia: a multilevel modified Delphi consensus study

2025

Journal Article

Estimated health and economic effects associated with over- and under-exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation in Australia and New Zealand using the SUNEX simulation model

Collins, Louisa G., Elliott, Thomas M., Webb, Ann, Reid, Ian R., Sinclair, Craig, Comans, Tracy, Karnon, Jonathan, Foeglein, Anna, van Gorp, Karen, Fanning, Vanessa and Neale, Rachel E. (2025). Estimated health and economic effects associated with over- and under-exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation in Australia and New Zealand using the SUNEX simulation model. Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 24 (6) 100234, 895-908. doi: 10.1007/s43630-025-00726-7

Estimated health and economic effects associated with over- and under-exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation in Australia and New Zealand using the SUNEX simulation model

2025

Journal Article

Psychological distress and productivity loss: a longitudinal analysis of Australian working adults

Keramat, Syed Afroz, Comans, Tracy, Pearce, Alison, Basri, Rabeya, Hashmi, Rubayyat and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2025). Psychological distress and productivity loss: a longitudinal analysis of Australian working adults. The European Journal of Health Economics, 26 (8), 1-22. doi: 10.1007/s10198-025-01764-9

Psychological distress and productivity loss: a longitudinal analysis of Australian working adults

2025

Journal Article

Deterioration of health-related quality of life: the hidden health burden of informal caregiving

Keramat, Syed Afroz, Sarker, Prianka Maria, Comans, Tracy, Brooks, Deborah and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2025). Deterioration of health-related quality of life: the hidden health burden of informal caregiving. The European Journal of Health Economics, 26 (8), 1-24. doi: 10.1007/s10198-025-01776-5

Deterioration of health-related quality of life: the hidden health burden of informal caregiving

2025

Other Outputs

Data : Heuristics and Biases in Home Care Package Resource Allocation

Kenny, Danelle, Comans, Tracy and Breig, Zachary (2025). Data : Heuristics and Biases in Home Care Package Resource Allocation. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/b2b5de7

Data : Heuristics and Biases in Home Care Package Resource Allocation

2025

Journal Article

Emerging models of care using IT in long-term/post-acute care: a comparative analysis of human and AI–driven qualitative insights

Alexander, Gregory L., Livingstone, Anne, Han, Soojeong, Chapman, Wendy, Comans, Tracy, Demiris, George, Fisk, Malcolm, Fossum, Mariann, Fung, Celeste, Kennedy, Rosemary, O’Malley, Terrence A., Skubic, Marjorie, Adler-Milstein, Julia, Bakken, Suzanne, Bardakh, Alex, Bjarnadottir, Ragnhildur I., Bonner, Alice, Bronas, Ulf B., Brooks, Sam, Buckley, Jennene, Ciolek, Daniel E., Courtney, Karen, Masterson Creber, Ruth, Dougherty, Michelle, den Ouden, Marjolein, Galambos, Colleen, Lai, Rose, Latz, Robert, Longobardi, Isaac ... Topaz, Maxim (2025). Emerging models of care using IT in long-term/post-acute care: a comparative analysis of human and AI–driven qualitative insights. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 51 (4), 6-11. doi: 10.3928/00989134-20250307-01

Emerging models of care using IT in long-term/post-acute care: a comparative analysis of human and AI–driven qualitative insights

2025

Journal Article

Study protocol for the Australasian Cerebral Palsy Musculoskeletal Health Network (AusCP MSK) prospective cohort study: early detection of musculoskeletal complications in young children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy (GMFCS III–V)

Munns, Craig F, Bentley, Laura A, Boyd, Roslyn N, Brookes, Denise, Taylor, Maddison J, Pivonka, Peter, Nassar, Natasha, Trost, Stewart G, Little, J Paige, Tucker, Kylie, Burns, Joshua, Sakzewski, Leanne, Badawi, Nadia, Ware, Robert S, Comans, Tracy, Willoughby, Kate L and Paget, Simon (2025). Study protocol for the Australasian Cerebral Palsy Musculoskeletal Health Network (AusCP MSK) prospective cohort study: early detection of musculoskeletal complications in young children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy (GMFCS III–V). BMJ Open, 15 (4) e095526, 1-14. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095526

Study protocol for the Australasian Cerebral Palsy Musculoskeletal Health Network (AusCP MSK) prospective cohort study: early detection of musculoskeletal complications in young children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy (GMFCS III–V)

2025

Journal Article

The estimation of health state utility values for psychological distress in Australia: implications for future economic evaluations

Keramat, Syed Afroz, Comans, Tracy, Basri, Rabeya, Bailey, Daniel, Brooks, Deborah and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2025). The estimation of health state utility values for psychological distress in Australia: implications for future economic evaluations. Value in Health, 28 (3), 368-378. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2024.12.002

The estimation of health state utility values for psychological distress in Australia: implications for future economic evaluations

2025

Journal Article

Decisions, decisions: observations of resource allocation under consumer-directed care

Kenny, Danelle, Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Breig, Zachary, Friesen, Lana and Comans, Tracy (2025). Decisions, decisions: observations of resource allocation under consumer-directed care. Healthcare, 13 (5) 516, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13050516

Decisions, decisions: observations of resource allocation under consumer-directed care

2025

Journal Article

Enhanced Advance care planning and life Review Longitudinal Intervention (EARLI): protocol for a cluster randomized controlled cross-over trial of life story work and facilitated advance care planning among older Australian adults in community settings

Karusoo-Musumeci, Ava, Yeoh, Ling, Walton, Rebecca, Dao-Tran, Tiet-Hanh, Halcomb, Elizabeth, Auret, Kirsten A., Clayton, Josephine M., Kurrle, Susan, Campbell, Elissa, Hilgeman, Michelle, Sinclair, Ron, Meller, Anne, Towler, Simon, Edwards, Caroline E., Comans, Tracy and Sinclair, Craig (2025). Enhanced Advance care planning and life Review Longitudinal Intervention (EARLI): protocol for a cluster randomized controlled cross-over trial of life story work and facilitated advance care planning among older Australian adults in community settings. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 149 107795, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107795

Enhanced Advance care planning and life Review Longitudinal Intervention (EARLI): protocol for a cluster randomized controlled cross-over trial of life story work and facilitated advance care planning among older Australian adults in community settings

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

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

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