
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
2018
Journal Article
A simulation of dementia epidemiology and resource use in Australia
Standfield, Lachlan B., Comans, Tracy and Scuffham, Paul (2018). A simulation of dementia epidemiology and resource use in Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 42 (3), 291-295. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12700
2018
Journal Article
Implementation of an evidence-based intervention to improve the wellbeing of people with dementia and their carers: study protocol for 'Care of People with dementia in their Environments (COPE)' in the Australian context
Clemson, Lindy, Laver, Kate, Jeon, Yun-Hee, Comans, Tracy A., Scanlan, Justin, Rahja, Miia, Culph, Jennifer, Low, Lee-Fay, Day, Sally, Cations, Monica, Crotty, Maria, Kurrle, Susan, Piersol, Catherine and Gitlin, Laura N (2018). Implementation of an evidence-based intervention to improve the wellbeing of people with dementia and their carers: study protocol for 'Care of People with dementia in their Environments (COPE)' in the Australian context. BMC Geriatrics, 18 (1) 108, 108. doi: 10.1186/s12877-018-0790-7
2018
Journal Article
Rationale and developmental methodology for the SIMPLE approach: A Systematised, Interdisciplinary Malnutrition Pathway for impLementation and Evaluation in hospitals
Bell, Jack J., Young, Adrienne, Hill, Jan, Banks, Merrilyn, Comans, Tracy, Barnes, Rhiannon and Keller, Heather H. (2018). Rationale and developmental methodology for the SIMPLE approach: A Systematised, Interdisciplinary Malnutrition Pathway for impLementation and Evaluation in hospitals. Nutrition and Dietetics, 75 (2), 226-234. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.12406
2018
Journal Article
Economic evaluations of occupational therapy approaches for people with cognitive and/or functional decline: A systematic review
Rahja, Miia, Comans, Tracy, Clemson, Lindy, Crotty, Maria and Laver, Kate (2018). Economic evaluations of occupational therapy approaches for people with cognitive and/or functional decline: A systematic review. Health and Social Care in the Community, 26 (5), 635-653. doi: 10.1111/hsc.12553
2018
Journal Article
Comparison of four alternative national universal anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention programme implementation strategies to reduce secondary future medical costs
Lewis, Dion A., Kirkbride, Brent, Vertullo, Christopher J., Gordon, Louisa and Comans, Tracy A. (2018). Comparison of four alternative national universal anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention programme implementation strategies to reduce secondary future medical costs. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52 (4), 277-282. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096667
2018
Journal Article
Developing a dementia-specific preference--based quality of life measure (AD-5D) in Australia: a valuation study protocol
Comans, Tracy A., Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Mulhern, Brendan, Corlis, Megan, Li, Li, Welch, Alyssa, Kurrle, Susan E., Rowen, Donna, Moyle, Wendy, Kularatna, Sanjeewa and Ratcliffe, Julie (2018). Developing a dementia-specific preference--based quality of life measure (AD-5D) in Australia: a valuation study protocol. BMJ open, 8 (1) e018996, e018996. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018996
2018
Journal Article
SImplification of Medications Prescribed to Long-tErm care Residents (SIMPLER): study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
Sluggett, Janet K., Chen, Esa Y. H., Ilomäki, Jenni, Corlis, Megan, Hilmer, Sarah N., Van Emden, Jan, Ooi, Choon Ean, Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Comans, Tracy, Hogan, Michelle, Caporale, Tessa, Edwards, Susan, Quirke, Lyntara, Patching, Allan and Bell, J. Simon (2018). SImplification of Medications Prescribed to Long-tErm care Residents (SIMPLER): study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial. Trials, 19 (1) 37, 37. doi: 10.1186/s13063-017-2417-2
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 Kim-Huong Nguyen, Dr David Chua
-
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, 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
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
Completed supervision
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Quality measurement in aged care to inform economic analyses
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kim-Huong Nguyen
-
2024
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
-
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
For media enquiries about Professor Tracy Comans's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: