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Professor Tracy Comans
Professor

Tracy Comans

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 65345

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

204 works between 2008 and 2025

81 - 100 of 204 works

2021

Journal Article

Implementing a reablement intervention, "Care of people with dementia in their environments (COPE)": a hybrid implementation-effectiveness study

Clemson, Lindy, Laver, Kate, Rahja, Miia, Culph, Jennifer, Scanlan, Justin N., Day, Sally, Comans, Tracy, Jeon, Yun-Hee, Low, Lee-Fay, Crotty, Maria, Kurrle, Sue, Cations, Monica, Piersol, Cathy V. and Gitlin, Laura N. (2021). Implementing a reablement intervention, "Care of people with dementia in their environments (COPE)": a hybrid implementation-effectiveness study. Gerontologist, 61 (6), 965-976. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnaa105

Implementing a reablement intervention, "Care of people with dementia in their environments (COPE)": a hybrid implementation-effectiveness study

2021

Conference Publication

Service providers perceptions of factors influencing the implementation of GLA:D® into australian public tertiary facilities: a qualitative study

Collins, N. J., Cottrell, M. A., Raymer, M., Smith, M. D., O'Leary, S. P., Maclachlan, L. R., Vicenzino, B., Vuvan, V., Comans, T. A., Kemp, J. L., Barton, C. J., Lee, D., McCaskill, S. and Hislop, A. (2021). Service providers perceptions of factors influencing the implementation of GLA:D® into australian public tertiary facilities: a qualitative study. 2021 OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Online, 29 April-1 May 2021. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.05.048

Service providers perceptions of factors influencing the implementation of GLA:D® into australian public tertiary facilities: a qualitative study

2021

Conference Publication

Implementation of good life with osteoarthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) is feasible in Australian tertiary public hospital facilities

Collins, N.J., Raymer, M., Smith, M.D., O'Leary, S.P., Maclachlan, L.R., Cottrell, M.A., Vicenzino, B., Vuvan, V., Comans, T.A., Kemp, J.L., Barton, C.J., Lee, D., McCaskill, S. and Hislop, A. (2021). Implementation of good life with osteoarthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) is feasible in Australian tertiary public hospital facilities. 2021 OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Online, 29 April-1 May 2021. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.05.047

Implementation of good life with osteoarthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) is feasible in Australian tertiary public hospital facilities

2021

Journal Article

The decision‐making processes and preferences of older Australians purchasing home support services: an explorative inquiry using a “think‐aloud” technique

Rahja, Miia, Laver, Kate, Phillipson, Lyn, Comans, Tracy and Crotty, Maria (2021). The decision‐making processes and preferences of older Australians purchasing home support services: an explorative inquiry using a “think‐aloud” technique. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 57 (2) ajs4.170, 372-387. doi: 10.1002/ajs4.170

The decision‐making processes and preferences of older Australians purchasing home support services: an explorative inquiry using a “think‐aloud” technique

2021

Journal Article

Professional development training preferences of occupational therapists working with older adults in Australia: a discrete choice experiment

Day, Sally D., Nguyen, Kim‐Huong, Comans, Tracy, Clemson, Lindy and Laver, Kate (2021). Professional development training preferences of occupational therapists working with older adults in Australia: a discrete choice experiment. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 68 (4), 327-335. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12731

Professional development training preferences of occupational therapists working with older adults in Australia: a discrete choice experiment

2021

Journal Article

Systematised, Interdisciplinary Malnutrition Program for impLementation and Evaluation delivers improved hospital nutrition care processes and patient reported experiences – an implementation study

Bell, Jack J., Young, Adrienne M., Hill, Jan M., Banks, Merrilyn D., Comans, Tracy A., Barnes, Rhiannon and Keller, Heather H. (2021). Systematised, Interdisciplinary Malnutrition Program for impLementation and Evaluation delivers improved hospital nutrition care processes and patient reported experiences – an implementation study. Nutrition and Dietetics, 78 (5), 466-475. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.12663

Systematised, Interdisciplinary Malnutrition Program for impLementation and Evaluation delivers improved hospital nutrition care processes and patient reported experiences – an implementation study

2021

Journal Article

Disparities in service and clinical outcomes in state-wide advanced practice physiotherapist-led services

Raymer, Maree, Mitchell, Louise, Window, Peter, Cottrell, Michelle, Comans, Tracy and O’Leary, Shaun (2021). Disparities in service and clinical outcomes in state-wide advanced practice physiotherapist-led services. Healthcare, 9 (3) 278. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9030278

Disparities in service and clinical outcomes in state-wide advanced practice physiotherapist-led services

2021

Other Outputs

Materials for the effect of price changes and teaspoon labelling on intention to purchase sugar-sweetened beverages

Comans, Tracy and Vo, Vinh (2021). Materials for the effect of price changes and teaspoon labelling on intention to purchase sugar-sweetened beverages. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/a0df968

Materials for the effect of price changes and teaspoon labelling on intention to purchase sugar-sweetened beverages

2021

Journal Article

Implementation of the Living Well During Pregnancy telecoaching program for women at high risk of excessive gestational weight gain: protocol for an effectiveness-implementation hybrid study

de Jersey, Susan, Meloncelli, Nina, Guthrie, Taylor, Powlesland, Hilary, Callaway, Leonie, Chang, Angela T., Wilkinson, Shelley, Comans, Tracy and Eakin, Elizabeth (2021). Implementation of the Living Well During Pregnancy telecoaching program for women at high risk of excessive gestational weight gain: protocol for an effectiveness-implementation hybrid study. JMIR Research Protocols, 10 (3) e27196, 1-12. doi: 10.2196/27196

Implementation of the Living Well During Pregnancy telecoaching program for women at high risk of excessive gestational weight gain: protocol for an effectiveness-implementation hybrid study

2021

Journal Article

A cluster-randomized trial of workplace ergonomics and neck-specific exercise versus ergonomics and health promotion for office workers to manage neck pain – a secondary outcome analysis

Johnston, Venerina, Chen, Xiaoqi, Welch, Alyssa, Sjøgaard, Gisela, Comans, Tracy A., McStea, Megan, Straker, Leon, Melloh, Markus, Pereira, Michelle and O’Leary, Shaun (2021). A cluster-randomized trial of workplace ergonomics and neck-specific exercise versus ergonomics and health promotion for office workers to manage neck pain – a secondary outcome analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 22 (1) 68, 1-12. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-03945-y

A cluster-randomized trial of workplace ergonomics and neck-specific exercise versus ergonomics and health promotion for office workers to manage neck pain – a secondary outcome analysis

2021

Journal Article

Making the invisible companion of people with dementia visible in economic studies: what can we learn from social science?

Nguyen, Kim-Huong and Comans, Tracy (2021). Making the invisible companion of people with dementia visible in economic studies: what can we learn from social science?. Healthcare, 9 (1) 44, 44. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9010044

Making the invisible companion of people with dementia visible in economic studies: what can we learn from social science?

2020

Journal Article

Factors affecting radiotherapy utilisation in geriatric oncology patients in NSW, Australia

Mackenzie, Penny, Vajdic, Claire, Delaney, Geoff, Gabriel, Gabriel, Agar, Meera, Comans, Tracy and Barton, Michael (2020). Factors affecting radiotherapy utilisation in geriatric oncology patients in NSW, Australia. Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 16, 17-23. doi: 10.1016/j.tipsro.2020.09.003

Factors affecting radiotherapy utilisation in geriatric oncology patients in NSW, Australia

2020

Journal Article

A multisite longitudinal evaluation of patient characteristics associated with a poor response to non-surgical multidisciplinary management of low back pain in an advanced practice physiotherapist-led tertiary service

O’Leary, Shaun, Raymer, Maree, Window, Peter, Swete Kelly, Patrick, Lee, Darryl, Garsden, Linda, Tweedy, Rebecca, Phillips, Ben, O’Sullivan, Will, Wake, Anneke, Smith, Alison, Pahor, Sheryl, Pearce, Luen, McLean, Rod, Thompson, David, Williams, Erica, Nolan, Damien, Anning, Jody, Seels, Ian, Wickins, Daniel, Marks, Darryn, Diplock, Brendan, Parravicini, Vicki, Parnwell, Linda, Vicenzino, Bill, Comans, Tracy, Cottrell, Michelle, Khan, Asaduzzaman and McPhail, Steven (2020). A multisite longitudinal evaluation of patient characteristics associated with a poor response to non-surgical multidisciplinary management of low back pain in an advanced practice physiotherapist-led tertiary service. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 21 (1) 807, 1-12. doi: 10.1186/s12891-020-03839-5

A multisite longitudinal evaluation of patient characteristics associated with a poor response to non-surgical multidisciplinary management of low back pain in an advanced practice physiotherapist-led tertiary service

2020

Journal Article

Exploring the impact of obesity on health care resources and coding in the acute hospital setting: A feasibility study

Tan, Winnie S. Y., Young, Adrienne M., Di Bella, Alexandra L., Comans, Tracy and Banks, Merrilyn (2020). Exploring the impact of obesity on health care resources and coding in the acute hospital setting: A feasibility study. Healthcare, 8 (4) 459, 459. doi: 10.3390/healthcare8040459

Exploring the impact of obesity on health care resources and coding in the acute hospital setting: A feasibility study

2020

Journal Article

Some gain for a small investment: an economic evaluation of an exercise program for people living in residential aged care

Rahja, Miia, Nguyen, Kim‐Huong, Post, Danielle, Parfitt, Gaynor, Corlis, Megan and Comans, Tracy (2020). Some gain for a small investment: an economic evaluation of an exercise program for people living in residential aged care. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 40 (2) ajag.12875, 1-9. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12875

Some gain for a small investment: an economic evaluation of an exercise program for people living in residential aged care

2020

Conference Publication

THE GOAL TRIAL PROTOCOL: Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for Frail Older People With Chronic Kidney Disease to increase attainment of patient-identified goals - A cluster randomised controlled trial

Logan, B., Viecelli, A. K., Johnson, D. W., Tong, A., Comans, T., Janda, M., Pond, C., Pascoe, E., Peel, N. M., Gray, L., Pole, J., Polkinghorne, K., Jose, M., Gordon, E. H., Scholes-Robertson, N., Bailey, J., Robison, L., Hawley, C., Varghese, J., Kiriwandeniya, C., Reidlinger, D. and Hubbard, R. E. (2020). THE GOAL TRIAL PROTOCOL: Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for Frail Older People With Chronic Kidney Disease to increase attainment of patient-identified goals - A cluster randomised controlled trial. 55th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN), Online, 28 November‐2 December 2020. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell.

THE GOAL TRIAL PROTOCOL: Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for Frail Older People With Chronic Kidney Disease to increase attainment of patient-identified goals - A cluster randomised controlled trial

2020

Journal Article

Determining if telehealth can reduce health system costs: scoping review

Snoswell, Centaine L., Taylor, Monica L., Comans, Tracy A., Smith, Anthony C., Gray, Leonard C. and Caffery, Liam J. (2020). Determining if telehealth can reduce health system costs: scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22 (10) e17298, 1-22. doi: 10.2196/17298

Determining if telehealth can reduce health system costs: scoping review

2020

Journal Article

Patient characteristics associated with a poor response to non-surgical multidisciplinary management of knee osteoarthritis: a multisite prospective longitudinal study in an advanced practice physiotherapist-led tertiary service

O'Leary, Shaun, Raymer, Maree, Window, Peter, Swete Kelly, Patrick, Elwell, Bula, McLoughlin, Ian, O'Sullivan, Will, Phillips, Ben, Wake, Anneke, Ralph, Andrew, O'Gorman, Helen, Jang, Ellen, Groves, Karen, Hislop, Andrew, Lee, Darryl, Garsden, Linda, Conroy, Michael, Wickins, Daniel, Vicenzino, Bill, Comans, Tracy, Cottrell, Michelle, Khan, Asaduzzaman and McPhail, Steven (2020). Patient characteristics associated with a poor response to non-surgical multidisciplinary management of knee osteoarthritis: a multisite prospective longitudinal study in an advanced practice physiotherapist-led tertiary service. BMJ Open, 10 (10) e037070, 1-10. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037070

Patient characteristics associated with a poor response to non-surgical multidisciplinary management of knee osteoarthritis: a multisite prospective longitudinal study in an advanced practice physiotherapist-led tertiary service

2020

Journal Article

Cost comparison of different models of palliative care delivery

Comans, Tracy, Nguyen, Kim‐Huong, Stafford‐Bell, Fiona and Agar, Meera (2020). Cost comparison of different models of palliative care delivery. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 40 (1) ajag.12843, 90-93. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12843

Cost comparison of different models of palliative care delivery

2020

Journal Article

Underreporting of obesity in hospital inpatients: a comparison of body mass index and administrative documentation in Australian hospitals

Di Bella, Alexandra L., Comans, Tracy, Gane, Elise M., Young, Adrienne M., Hickling, Donna F., Lucas, Alisha, Hickman, Ingrid J. and Banks, Merrilyn (2020). Underreporting of obesity in hospital inpatients: a comparison of body mass index and administrative documentation in Australian hospitals. Healthcare, 8 (3) 334, 334. doi: 10.3390/healthcare8030334

Underreporting of obesity in hospital inpatients: a comparison of body mass index and administrative documentation in Australian hospitals

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 - 2028
    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
    Frailty KIT: An Australian Frailty Network to Create Knowledge, Implement Findings and Support Training
    NHMRC MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission
    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 - 2025
    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 - 2026
    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 - 2025
    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 - 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
  • 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

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 - 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
    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
  • 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 - 2021
    Ensuring the sustainability of care for people with dementia now and into the future
    NHMRC Boosting Dementia Research Leadership Fellowship
    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

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