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
2017
Journal Article
Developing a dementia-specific health state classification system for a new preference-based instrument AD-5D
Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Mulhern, Brendan, Kularatna, Sanjeewa, Byrnes, Joshua, Moyle, Wendy and Comans, Tracy (2017). Developing a dementia-specific health state classification system for a new preference-based instrument AD-5D. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 15 (1) 21, 21. doi: 10.1186/s12955-017-0585-0
2017
Journal Article
An empirical comparison of Markov cohort modeling and discrete event simulation in a capacity-constrained health care setting
Standfield, L. B., Comans, T. A. and Scuffham, P. A. (2017). An empirical comparison of Markov cohort modeling and discrete event simulation in a capacity-constrained health care setting. European Journal of Health Economics, 18 (1), 33-47. doi: 10.1007/s10198-015-0756-z
2016
Journal Article
Agreement between a physiotherapist and an orthopaedic surgeon regarding management and prescription of corticosteroid injection for patients with shoulder pain
Marks, Darryn, Comans, Tracy, Thomas, Michael, Ng, Shu Kay, O'Leary, Shaun, Conaghan, Philip G., Scuffham, Paul A. and Bisset, Leanne (2016). Agreement between a physiotherapist and an orthopaedic surgeon regarding management and prescription of corticosteroid injection for patients with shoulder pain. Manual Therapy, 26, 216-222. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2016.10.001
2016
Journal Article
Evaluating the efficacy of the "support for life" program for people with dementia and their families and carers' to enable them to live well: a protocol for a cluster stepped wedge randomized controlled trial
Goeman, Dianne, Comans, Tracy, Enticott, Joanne C., Renehan, Emma, Beattie, Elizabeth, Kurrle, Susan and Koch, Susan (2016). Evaluating the efficacy of the "support for life" program for people with dementia and their families and carers' to enable them to live well: a protocol for a cluster stepped wedge randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Public Health, 4 (OCT) 245. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2016.00245
2016
Journal Article
Increasing capacity for the treatment of common musculoskeletal problems: a non-inferiority RCT and economic analysis of corticosteroid injection for shoulder pain comparing a physiotherapist and orthopaedic surgeon
Marks, Darryn, Bisset, Leanne, Comans, Tracy, Thomas, Michael, Ng, Shu Kay, O'Leary, Shaun, Conaghan, Philip G. and Scuffham, Paul A. (2016). Increasing capacity for the treatment of common musculoskeletal problems: a non-inferiority RCT and economic analysis of corticosteroid injection for shoulder pain comparing a physiotherapist and orthopaedic surgeon. PLoS ONE, 11 (9) e0162679, e0162679. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162679
2016
Journal Article
The efficiency of increasing the capacity of physiotherapy screening clinics or traditional medical services to address unmet demand in orthopaedic outpatients: a practical application of discrete event simulation with dynamic queuing
Standfield, L., Comans, T., Raymer, M., O'Leary, S., Moretto, N. and Scuffham, P. (2016). The efficiency of increasing the capacity of physiotherapy screening clinics or traditional medical services to address unmet demand in orthopaedic outpatients: a practical application of discrete event simulation with dynamic queuing. Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, 14 (4), 479-491. doi: 10.1007/s40258-016-0246-1
2016
Journal Article
Inter-rater reliability of an observation-based ergonomics assessment checklist for office workers
Pereira, Michelle Jessica, Straker, Leon Melville, Comans, Tracy Anne and Johnston, Venerina (2016). Inter-rater reliability of an observation-based ergonomics assessment checklist for office workers. Ergonomics, 59 (12), 1606-1612. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2016.1157215
2016
Journal Article
The increase in healthcare costs associated with frailty in older people discharged to a post-acute transition care program
Comans, Tracy A., Peel, Nancye M., Hubbard, Ruth E., Mulligan, Andrew D., Gray, Leonard C. and Scuffham, Paul A. (2016). The increase in healthcare costs associated with frailty in older people discharged to a post-acute transition care program. Age and Ageing, 45 (2) afv196, 317-320. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afv196
2016
Journal Article
Exploration of the economic and quality of life impact on carers of individuals undergoing community rehabilitation
Comans, Tracy A., Sealey, Cindy J., Mervin, Merehau C. and Barker, Ruth N. (2016). Exploration of the economic and quality of life impact on carers of individuals undergoing community rehabilitation. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 23 (10), 493-498. doi: 10.12968/ijtr.2016.23.10.493
2015
Journal Article
Streamlining clinical practice in an Australian community rehabilitation service using The Calderdale Framework
Patterson, Sarah A., Comans, Tracy A., Pitt, Erin L. and Currin, Michelle L. (2015). Streamlining clinical practice in an Australian community rehabilitation service using The Calderdale Framework. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 22 (9), 434-441. doi: 10.12968/ijtr.2015.22.9.434
2015
Journal Article
Mitii™ ABI: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based multi-modal training program for children and adolescents with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Boyd, Roslyn N., Baque, Emmah, Piovesana, Adina, Ross, Stephanie, Ziviani, Jenny, Sakzewski, Leanne, Barber, Lee, Lloyd, Owen, McKinlay, Lynne, Whittingham, Koa, Smith, Anthony C., Rose, Stephen, Fiori, Simona, Cunnington, Ross, Ware, Robert, Lewis, Melinda, Comans, Tracy A. and Scuffham, Paul A. (2015). Mitii™ ABI: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based multi-modal training program for children and adolescents with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). BMC Neurology, 15 (140) 140, 140. doi: 10.1186/s12883-015-0381-6
2015
Journal Article
The impact of onsite workplace health-enhancing physical activity interventions on worker productivity: a systematic review
Pereira, Michelle Jessica, Coombes, Brooke Kaye, Comans, Tracy Anne and Johnston, Venerina (2015). The impact of onsite workplace health-enhancing physical activity interventions on worker productivity: a systematic review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 72 (6), 401-412. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2014-102678
2015
Journal Article
Healthcare resource use in patients of the Australian Transition Care Program
Comans, Tracy A., Peel, Nancye M., Cameron, Ian D., Gray, Leonard. and Scuffham, Paul A. (2015). Healthcare resource use in patients of the Australian Transition Care Program. Australian Health Review, 39 (4), 411-416. doi: 10.1071/AH14054
2015
Book Chapter
Listening to the experts: Is there a place for food taxation in the fight against obesity in early childhood?
Pitt, Erin, Kendall, Elizabeth, Hills, Andrew P. and Comans, Tracy (2015). Listening to the experts: Is there a place for food taxation in the fight against obesity in early childhood?. The Childhood Obesity Epidemic: Why Are Our Children Obese-And What Can We Do About It?. (pp. 235-253) Oakville, Canada: Apple Academic Press.
2015
Conference Publication
The exercise, but not quality of life, response to pulmonary rehabilitation predicts reduction in health care utilization in the following two years
Walsh, J., Pegg, J., Yerkovich, S., Morris, N., Mckeough, Z., Comans, T., Paratz, J. and Chambers, D. (2015). The exercise, but not quality of life, response to pulmonary rehabilitation predicts reduction in health care utilization in the following two years. Thoracic Society Australia New Zealand Australian New Zealand Society Respiratory Science Annual Scientific Meeting 2015, Queensland, Australia, 27 March - 1 April, 2015. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/resp.12494_2
2015
Other Outputs
Endobronchial valves for patients with advanced heterogeneous emphysema
Comans, Tracy (2015). Endobronchial valves for patients with advanced heterogeneous emphysema. Queensland: State of Queensland.
2015
Conference Publication
Health care utilisation benefits following pulmonary rehabilitation
Walsh, J., Pegg, J., Yerkovich, S., Morris, N., Mckeough, Z., Comans, T., Paratz, J. and Chambers, D. (2015). Health care utilisation benefits following pulmonary rehabilitation. Thoracic Society Australia New Zealand Australian New Zealand Society Respiratory Science Annual Scientific Meeting 2015, Queensland, Australia, 27 March - 1 April, 2015. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia.
2015
Journal Article
Medicare rebate for specialist medical practitioners from physiotherapy referrals: analysis of the potential impact on the Australian healthcare system
Byrnes, Joshua M. and Comans, Tracy A. (2015). Medicare rebate for specialist medical practitioners from physiotherapy referrals: analysis of the potential impact on the Australian healthcare system. Australian Health Review, 39 (1), 12-17. doi: 10.1071/AH13196
2014
Journal Article
An experienced physiotherapist prescribing and administering corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injections to the shoulder in an Australian orthopaedic service, a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial and economic analysis: study protocol for a ra
Marks, Darryn, Bisset, Leanne, Thomas, Michael, O'Leary, Shaun, Comans, Tracy, Ng, Shu Kay, Conaghan, Philip G. and Scuffham, Paul (2014). An experienced physiotherapist prescribing and administering corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injections to the shoulder in an Australian orthopaedic service, a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial and economic analysis: study protocol for a ra. Trials, 15 (503) 503, 503. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-15-503
2014
Journal Article
A workplace exercise versus health promotion intervention to prevent and reduce the economic and personal burden of non-specific neck pain in office personnel: protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial
Johnston, V., O'Leary, S., Comans, T., Straker, L., Melloh, M., Khan, A. and Sjogaard, G. (2014). A workplace exercise versus health promotion intervention to prevent and reduce the economic and personal burden of non-specific neck pain in office personnel: protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial. Journal of Physiotherapy, 60 (4), 223-223. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2014.08.007
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Tracy Comans is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
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
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
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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