Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
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

191 works between 2008 and 2024

101 - 120 of 191 works

2019

Journal Article

Longevity of pulmonary rehabilitation benefit for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - health care utilisation in the subsequent 2 years

Walsh, James R., Pegg, Jane, Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Morris, Norman, McKeough, Zoe J., Comans, Tracy, Paratz, Jenny D. and Chambers, Daniel C. (2019). Longevity of pulmonary rehabilitation benefit for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - health care utilisation in the subsequent 2 years. BMJ Open Respiratory Research, 6 (1) e000500, e000500. doi: 10.1136/bmjresp-2019-000500

Longevity of pulmonary rehabilitation benefit for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - health care utilisation in the subsequent 2 years

2019

Other Outputs

Valuing quality of life for people living with dementia: what really matters to people with dementia and their caregivers?

Comans, Tracy, Nguyen, Kim-Huong and Welch, Alyssa (2019). Valuing quality of life for people living with dementia: what really matters to people with dementia and their caregivers?. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Valuing quality of life for people living with dementia: what really matters to people with dementia and their caregivers?

2019

Journal Article

Simulation of health care and related costs in people with dementia in Australia

Standfield, Lachlan, Comans, Tracy and Scuffham, Paul A. (2019). Simulation of health care and related costs in people with dementia in Australia. Australian Health Review, 43 (5), 531-539. doi: 10.1071/AH18022

Simulation of health care and related costs in people with dementia in Australia

2019

Journal Article

How do people with dementia and family carers value dementia‐specific quality of life states?: an explorative “Think Aloud” study

Ratcliffe, Julie, Hutchinson, Claire, Milte, Rachel, Nguyen, Kim‐Huong, Welch, Alyssa, Caporale, Tessa, Corlis, Megan and Comans, Tracy (2019). How do people with dementia and family carers value dementia‐specific quality of life states?: an explorative “Think Aloud” study. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 38 (S2), 75-82. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12646

How do people with dementia and family carers value dementia‐specific quality of life states?: an explorative “Think Aloud” study

2019

Journal Article

Implementation of simulation modelling to improve service planning in specialist orthopaedic and neurosurgical outpatient services

Moretto, Nicole, Comans, Tracy A., Chang, Angela T., O’Leary, Shaun P., Osborne, Sonya, Carter, Hannah E., Smith, David, Cavanagh, Tania, Blond, Dean and Raymer, Maree (2019). Implementation of simulation modelling to improve service planning in specialist orthopaedic and neurosurgical outpatient services. Implementation Science, 14 (1) 78, 78. doi: 10.1186/s13012-019-0923-1

Implementation of simulation modelling to improve service planning in specialist orthopaedic and neurosurgical outpatient services

2019

Journal Article

Confirmatory analysis of a health state classification system for people living with dementia: a qualitative approach

Welch, Alyssa, Kim-Huong, Nguyen, Quinn, John, Gregory, Caroline, Moyle, Wendy, Ratcliffe, Julie and Comans, Tracy (2019). Confirmatory analysis of a health state classification system for people living with dementia: a qualitative approach. Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, 24 (4), 135581961985059-265. doi: 10.1177/1355819619850599

Confirmatory analysis of a health state classification system for people living with dementia: a qualitative approach

2019

Journal Article

Evaluation of a speech pathology service delivery model for patients at low dysphagia risk during radiotherapy for HNC

Moroney, Laura B., Ward, Elizabeth C., Helios, Jennifer, Crombie, Jane, Burns, Clare L., Blake, Claire, Comans, Tracy, Chua, Benjamin, Kenny, Lizbeth and Hughes, Brett G. M. (2019). Evaluation of a speech pathology service delivery model for patients at low dysphagia risk during radiotherapy for HNC. Supportive Care in Cancer, 28 (4), 1867-1876. doi: 10.1007/s00520-019-04992-x

Evaluation of a speech pathology service delivery model for patients at low dysphagia risk during radiotherapy for HNC

2019

Journal Article

Comparing fly-in fly-out and telehealth models for delivering advanced-practice physiotherapy services in regional Queensland: an audit of outcomes and costs

Cottrell, Michelle, Judd, Perry, Comans, Tracy, Easton, Paula and Chang, Angela T. (2019). Comparing fly-in fly-out and telehealth models for delivering advanced-practice physiotherapy services in regional Queensland: an audit of outcomes and costs. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 27 (1), 1357633X1985803-38. doi: 10.1177/1357633x19858036

Comparing fly-in fly-out and telehealth models for delivering advanced-practice physiotherapy services in regional Queensland: an audit of outcomes and costs

2019

Other Outputs

Economic evaluation of the intergenerational care project: final report

Moretto, Nicole, Comans, Tracy A, Harris, Paul, Wu, Cathy and Vecchio, Nerina (2019). Economic evaluation of the intergenerational care project: final report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Economic evaluation of the intergenerational care project: final report

2019

Journal Article

A systematic literature review of efficiency measurement in nursing homes

Tran, Alice, Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Gray, Len and Comans, Tracy (2019). A systematic literature review of efficiency measurement in nursing homes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 (12) 2186, 2186. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16122186

A systematic literature review of efficiency measurement in nursing homes

2019

Journal Article

Collagenase injections for Dupuytren’s in Australian public hospitals: a cost analysis

Elliott, Devlin, Bindra, Randy, Roychowdhury, Sujoy, Comans, Tracy and Fletcher, Jason (2019). Collagenase injections for Dupuytren’s in Australian public hospitals: a cost analysis. Australasian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 2 (1), 17-22. doi: 10.34239/ajops.v2i1.73

Collagenase injections for Dupuytren’s in Australian public hospitals: a cost analysis

2019

Journal Article

Benefit–cost analysis of an interprofessional education program within a residential aged care facility in Western Australia

Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Seaman, Karla, Saunders, Rosemary, Williams, Elly, Harrup-Gregory, Jane and Comans, Tracy (2019). Benefit–cost analysis of an interprofessional education program within a residential aged care facility in Western Australia. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 33 (6), 1-9. doi: 10.1080/13561820.2019.1577808

Benefit–cost analysis of an interprofessional education program within a residential aged care facility in Western Australia

2019

Journal Article

Utilising capacity in a rural hospital to support older people requiring hospital care: Kilcoy Connect

Padayachee, Ansuyah, Ranatunga, Cassandra and Comans, Tracy A. (2019). Utilising capacity in a rural hospital to support older people requiring hospital care: Kilcoy Connect. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 27 (4), 344-350. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12475

Utilising capacity in a rural hospital to support older people requiring hospital care: Kilcoy Connect

2018

Journal Article

Milk other than breast milk and the development of asthma in children 3 years of age. A birth cohort study (2006–2011)

El-Heneidy, Asmaa, Abdel-Rahman, Manar, Mihala, Gabor, Ross, Lynda and Comans, Tracy (2018). Milk other than breast milk and the development of asthma in children 3 years of age. A birth cohort study (2006–2011). Nutrients, 10 (11) 1798, 1798. doi: 10.3390/nu10111798

Milk other than breast milk and the development of asthma in children 3 years of age. A birth cohort study (2006–2011)

2018

Journal Article

Where are we at with model-based economic evaluations of interventions for dementia? A systematic review and quality assessment

Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Comans, Tracy A. and Green, Colin (2018). Where are we at with model-based economic evaluations of interventions for dementia? A systematic review and quality assessment. International Psychogeriatrics, 30 (11), 1593-1605. doi: 10.1017/s1041610218001291

Where are we at with model-based economic evaluations of interventions for dementia? A systematic review and quality assessment

2018

Journal Article

Shoulder pain cost-of-illness in patients referred for public orthopaedic care in Australia

Marks, Darryn, Comans, Tracy, Bisset, Leanne, Thomas, Michael and Scuffham, Paul A. (2018). Shoulder pain cost-of-illness in patients referred for public orthopaedic care in Australia. Australian Health Review, 43 (5), 540-548. doi: 10.1071/AH17242

Shoulder pain cost-of-illness in patients referred for public orthopaedic care in Australia

2018

Journal Article

Dietary patterns of Australian children at three and five years of age and their changes over time: a latent class and latent transition analysis

Pitt, Erin, Cameron, Cate M., Thornton, Lukar, Gallegos, Danielle, Filus, Ania, Ng, Shu-Kay and Comans, Tracy (2018). Dietary patterns of Australian children at three and five years of age and their changes over time: a latent class and latent transition analysis. Appetite, 129, 207-216. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.07.008

Dietary patterns of Australian children at three and five years of age and their changes over time: a latent class and latent transition analysis

2018

Journal Article

Are there missed opportunities for occupational therapy for people with dementia? An audit of practice in Australia

Rahja, Miia, Comans, Tracy, Clemson, Lindy, Crotty, Maria and Laver, Kate (2018). Are there missed opportunities for occupational therapy for people with dementia? An audit of practice in Australia. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 65 (6), 565-574. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12514

Are there missed opportunities for occupational therapy for people with dementia? An audit of practice in Australia

2018

Journal Article

The impact of workplace ergonomics and neck-specific exercise versus ergonomics and health promotion interventions on office worker productivity: a cluster-randomized trial

Pereira, Michelle, Comans, Tracy, Sjøgaard, Gisela, Straker, Leon, Melloh, Markus, O'Leary, Shaun, Chen, Xiaoqi and Johnston, Venerina (2018). The impact of workplace ergonomics and neck-specific exercise versus ergonomics and health promotion interventions on office worker productivity: a cluster-randomized trial. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 45 (1), 42-52. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3760

The impact of workplace ergonomics and neck-specific exercise versus ergonomics and health promotion interventions on office worker productivity: a cluster-randomized trial

2018

Journal Article

Intergenerational care: an exploration of consumer preferences and willingness to pay for care

Vecchio, N., Radford, K., Fitzgerald, J. A., Comans, T., Harris, P. and Harris, N. (2018). Intergenerational care: an exploration of consumer preferences and willingness to pay for care. Aging and Mental Health, 22 (8), 990-998. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1330873

Intergenerational care: an exploration of consumer preferences and willingness to pay for care

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 - 2025
    The Australian Consortium for Aged Care - Quality Measurement Toolbox (ACAC-QMET): Improving Quality of Care through Better Measurement and Evaluation (MRFF DAAC Grant administered by University of So
    South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Australian Cerebral Palsy Musculoskeletal Health Network
    NHMRC MRFF EPCDR - Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions in Children and Adolescents
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    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
  • 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 - 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 - 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

  • 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
    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