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
Fields of research
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
2023
Journal Article
Deprescribing to optimise health outcomes for frail older people: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial-outcomes of the Opti-med study
Etherton-Beer, Christopher, Page, Amy, Naganathan, Vasi, Potter, Kathleen, Comans, Tracy, Hilmer, Sarah N., McLachlan, Andrew J., Lindley, Richard I. and Mangin, Dee (2023). Deprescribing to optimise health outcomes for frail older people: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial-outcomes of the Opti-med study. Age and ageing, 52 (5) afad081. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afad081
2023
Conference Publication
Radiotherapy Utilisation and Geriatric Oncology: Lung, Rectal, Prostate and Cervical Cancer
Mackenzie, P., Vajdic, C., Delaney, G., Comans, T., Agar, M., Gabriel, G. and Barton, M. (2023). Radiotherapy Utilisation and Geriatric Oncology: Lung, Rectal, Prostate and Cervical Cancer. ESTRO 2023, Vienna, Austria, 13 - 16 May 2023. Shannon, Ireland: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s0167-8140(23)08696-6
2023
Conference Publication
Developing the monitoring and evaluation framework for ‘Australia’s antimicrobial resistance strategy: 2020 and beyond’ using a one health approach
Hall, Lisa, Lawler, Sheleigh, Comans, Tracy, Reid, Simon, Soares Magalhães, Ricardo, Blaskovich, Mark, Henseleit, Julia and Welch, Alyssa (2023). Developing the monitoring and evaluation framework for ‘Australia’s antimicrobial resistance strategy: 2020 and beyond’ using a one health approach. 17th World Congress on Public Health, Rome, Italy, 2-6 May 2023. Heraklion, Greece: EU European Publishing. doi: 10.18332/popmed/163919
2023
Journal Article
Deprescribing for older people living in residential aged care facilities: pharmacist recommendations, doctor acceptance and implementation
Quek, Hui Wen, Etherton-Beer, Christopher, Page, Amy, McLachlan, Andrew J, Lo, Sarita Y, Naganathan, Vasi, Kearney, Leanne, Hilmer, Sarah N, Comans, Tracy, Mangin, Derelie, Lindley, Richard I and Potter, Kathleen (2023). Deprescribing for older people living in residential aged care facilities: pharmacist recommendations, doctor acceptance and implementation. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 107 104910, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2022.104910
2023
Journal Article
Evaluating telehealth for the education and monitoring of lymphoedema and shoulder dysfunction after breast cancer surgery
Naumann, Leonie, Reul-Hirche, Hildegard, Comans, Tracy, Burns, Clare L., Paratz, Jenny and Cottrell, Michelle (2023). Evaluating telehealth for the education and monitoring of lymphoedema and shoulder dysfunction after breast cancer surgery. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31 (4) 239, 1-9. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-07693-8
2023
Journal Article
ACTIVE STRIDES-CP: protocol for a randomised trial of intensive rehabilitation (combined intensive gait and cycling training) for children with moderate-to-severe bilateral cerebral palsy
Sakzewski, Leanne, Pool, Dayna, Armstrong, Ellen, Reedman, Sarah Elizabeth, Boyd, Roslyn N., Elliott, Catherine, Novak, Iona, Trost, Stewart, Ware, Robert S., Comans, Tracy, Toovey, Rachel, Peterson, Mark D., Kentish, Megan, Horan, Sean, Valentine, Jane and Williams, Sian (2023). ACTIVE STRIDES-CP: protocol for a randomised trial of intensive rehabilitation (combined intensive gait and cycling training) for children with moderate-to-severe bilateral cerebral palsy. BMJ Open, 13 (3) e068774, 1-15. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068774
2023
Journal Article
Study protocol: peer delivered early intervention (Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents for Infants at risk of Cerebral Palsy: LEAP-CP) for First Nation Australian infants at high risk of cerebral palsy – an RCT study
Benfer, Katherine, Boyd, Roslyn N, Roe, Yvette, Fagan, Ruth, Luke, Carly, Mick-Ramsamy, Leeann, Whittingham, Koa, Novak, Iona, Bosanquet, Margot, McNamara, Lynda, Khandaker, Gulam, Fogarty, Lucy, Cadet-James, Yvonne, Ruben, Alan, Comans, Tracy, Smith, Anthony and Ware, Robert S (2023). Study protocol: peer delivered early intervention (Learning through Everyday Activities with Parents for Infants at risk of Cerebral Palsy: LEAP-CP) for First Nation Australian infants at high risk of cerebral palsy – an RCT study. BMJ Open, 13 (3) e059531, 1-16. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059531
2023
Journal Article
Show me the money: how do we justify spending health care dollars on digital health?
Woods, Leanna, Eden, Rebekah, Canfell, Oliver J., Nguyen, Kim‐Huong, Comans, Tracy and Sullivan, Clair (2023). Show me the money: how do we justify spending health care dollars on digital health?. Medical Journal of Australia, 218 (2), 53-57. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51799
2023
Journal Article
School readiness of children at high risk of cerebral palsy randomised to early neuroprotection and neurorehabilitation: protocol for a follow-up study of participants from four randomised clinical trials
Boyd, Roslyn N., Novak, Iona, Morgan, Catherine, Bora, Samudragupta, Sakzewski, Leanne, Ware, Robert S., Comans, Tracy, Fahey, Michael Collingwood, Whittingham, Koa, Trost, Stewart, Pannek, Kerstin, Pagnozzi, Alex, Mcintyre, Sarah, Badawi, Nadia, Smithers Sheedy, Hayley, Palmer, Kirsten Rebecca, Burgess, Andrea, Keramat, Afroz, Bell, Kristie, Hines, Ashleigh, Benfer, Katherine, Gascoigne-Pees, Laura, Leishman, Shaneen and Oftedal, Stina (2023). School readiness of children at high risk of cerebral palsy randomised to early neuroprotection and neurorehabilitation: protocol for a follow-up study of participants from four randomised clinical trials. BMJ Open, 13 (2) e068675, 1-17. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068675
2023
Conference Publication
Developing the monitoring and evaluation framework for ‘Australia’s antimicrobial resistance strategy: 2020 and beyond’ using a one health approach
Hall, Lisa, Lawler, Sheleigh, Comans, Tracy, Reid, Simon, Magalhães, Ricardo Soares, Blaskovich, Mark, Henseleit, Julia and Welch, Alyssa (2023). Developing the monitoring and evaluation framework for ‘Australia’s antimicrobial resistance strategy: 2020 and beyond’ using a one health approach. 17th World Congress on Public Health, Rome, Italy, 2-6 May 2023. Heraklion, Greece: European Publishing. doi: 10.18332/popmed/164014
2023
Journal Article
Study Protocol: Rethinking Integrated Models of Care for Type 2 Diabetes (Re-IMCD): Can Digital Health Better Integrate Care for People with Diabetes, Hospitals and Primary Care?
Chua, David, Vasconcelos Silva, Carina, Comans, Tracy, Mayr, Hannah L., Janda, Monika, Gray, Leonard C., Russell, Anthony W. and Menon, Anish (2023). Study Protocol: Rethinking Integrated Models of Care for Type 2 Diabetes (Re-IMCD): Can Digital Health Better Integrate Care for People with Diabetes, Hospitals and Primary Care?. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4335751
2022
Journal Article
Sitting less and moving more for improved metabolic and brain health in type 2 diabetes: ‘OPTIMISE your health’ trial protocol
Brakenridge, Christian J., Gardiner, Paul A., Grigg, Ruth V., Winkler, Elisabeth A. H., Fjeldsoe, Brianna S., Schaumberg, Mia A., Owen, Neville, Eakin, Elizabeth G., Biddle, Stuart J. H., Moodie, Marjory, Daly, Robin M., Green, Daniel J., Cohen, Neale, Gray, Len, Comans, Tracy, Buman, Matthew P., Goode, Ana D., Nguyen, Phuong, Gao, Lan, Healy, Genevieve N. and Dunstan, David W. (2022). Sitting less and moving more for improved metabolic and brain health in type 2 diabetes: ‘OPTIMISE your health’ trial protocol. BMC Public Health, 22 (1) 929. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13123-x
2022
Conference Publication
Development of an age- and comorbidity-adjusted optimal radiotherapy utilisation rate for older adults with lung cancer
Mackenzie, Penny, Vajdic, Claire, Delaney, Geoff, Comans, Tracy, Agar, Meera, Gabriel, Gabriel and Barton, Michael (2022). Development of an age- and comorbidity-adjusted optimal radiotherapy utilisation rate for older adults with lung cancer. HOBOKEN: WILEY.
2022
Conference Publication
Development of an Age- and Comorbidity- Adjusted Optimal Radiotherapy Utilisation Rate for Patients with Lung Cancer
Mackenzie, P., Vajdic, C., Delaney, G., Comans, T., Agar, M., Gabriel, G. and Barton, M. (2022). Development of an Age- and Comorbidity- Adjusted Optimal Radiotherapy Utilisation Rate for Patients with Lung Cancer. SIOG 2022 Annual Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, 28-30 October 2022. New York, NY United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s1879-4068(22)00255-7
2022
Journal Article
Radiotherapy utilisation rates for patients with cancer as a function of age: a systematic review
Mackenzie, Penny, Vajdic, Claire, Delaney, Geoff, Comans, Tracy, Morris, Lucinda, Agar, Meera, Gabriel, Gabriel and Barton, Michael (2022). Radiotherapy utilisation rates for patients with cancer as a function of age: a systematic review. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 14 (3) 101387, 101387. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2022.10.002
2022
Journal Article
Publicly subsidised smoking cessation medicines in times of COVID-19 in Australia: an interrupted time seriesanalysis
Baliunas, Dolly, Gartner, Coral , Hollingworth, Samantha A. , Sullivan, Clair , Comans, Tracy and Pole, Jason D. (2022). Publicly subsidised smoking cessation medicines in times of COVID-19 in Australia: an interrupted time seriesanalysis. Drug and Alcohol Review, 42 (1), 225-232. doi: 10.1111/dar.13557
2022
Journal Article
Evaluation of an exercise and ergonomics intervention for the prevention of neck pain in office workers: exploratory analysis of a cluster randomised trial
Johnston, Venerina, Jackson, Katherine, Welch, Alyssa, Sjøgaard, Gisela, Comans, Tracy Ann, Straker, Leon, Melloh, Markus, Gane, Elise, Bowe, Steve and O'Leary, Shaun (2022). Evaluation of an exercise and ergonomics intervention for the prevention of neck pain in office workers: exploratory analysis of a cluster randomised trial. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 79 (11) 108275, 1-8. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2022-108275
2022
Journal Article
Economic evaluation of antimicrobial stewardship in primary care: a systematic review and quality assessment
Wubishet, Befikadu L, Merlo, Gregory, Ghahreman-Falconer, Nazanin, Hall, Lisa and Comans, Tracy (2022). Economic evaluation of antimicrobial stewardship in primary care: a systematic review and quality assessment. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 77 (9), 2373-2388. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkac185
2022
Journal Article
Estimating the effects of physical violence and serious injury on health-related quality of life: Evidence from 19 waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey
Keramat, Syed Afroz, Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Perales, Francisco, Seidu, Abdul-Aziz, Mohammed, Aliu, Ahinkorah, Bright Opoku and Comans, Tracy (2022). Estimating the effects of physical violence and serious injury on health-related quality of life: Evidence from 19 waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. Quality of Life Research, 31 (11), 3153-3164. doi: 10.1007/s11136-022-03190-3
2022
Journal Article
Morbid obesity, multiple long-term conditions, and health-related quality of life among Australian adults: estimates from three waves of a longitudinal household survey
Keramat, Syed Afroz, Alam, Khorshed, Keating, Byron, Ahinkorah, Bright Opoku, Gyan Aboagye, Richard, Seidu, Abdul-Aziz, Samad, Nandeeta, Saha, Monidipa, Gow, Jeff, Biddle, Stuart J.H. and Comans, Tracy (2022). Morbid obesity, multiple long-term conditions, and health-related quality of life among Australian adults: estimates from three waves of a longitudinal household survey. Preventive Medicine Reports, 28 101823, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101823
Funding
Current funding
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 Namal Balasooriya
-
Doctor Philosophy
DEVELOPMENT OF A PICTURE-BASED QUALITY-OF-LIFE ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anthony Angwin, Associate Professor Nadeeka Dissanayaka
-
Doctor Philosophy
Heuristics and Biases in Budgeting Decisions for Home Care Packages Under Consumer-Directed Care
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Len Gray, Dr Kim-Huong Nguyen, Dr Zachary Breig
-
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the use of causal inference in infectious disease epidemiology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Mr Mark Chatfield, Professor Lisa Hall
-
Doctor Philosophy
Embracing Digital Health: Investigating the potential of an mHealth-supported model of care for type 2 diabetes in regional, rural, and remote Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Anthony Russell
Completed supervision
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Quality measurement in aged care to inform economic analyses
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kim-Huong Nguyen
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Telerehabilitation in the management of chronic musculoskeletal conditions: an implementation science approach
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary, Professor Trevor Russell
Media
Enquiries
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