
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
2018
Journal Article
What does the Australian general public know about treatments for dementia? A population survey
Rahja, Miia, Laver, Kate, Comans, Tracy and Crotty, Maria (2018). What does the Australian general public know about treatments for dementia? A population survey. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 4, 233372141879344. doi: 10.1177/2333721418793442
2017
Journal Article
An economic model of advance care planning in Australia: a cost-effective way to respect patient choice
Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Sellars, Marcus, Agar, Meera, Kurrle, Sue, Kelly, Adele and Comans, Tracy (2017). An economic model of advance care planning in Australia: a cost-effective way to respect patient choice. BMC Health Services Research, 17 (1) 797, 797. doi: 10.1186/s12913-017-2748-4
2017
Journal Article
The development and practical application of a simulation model to inform musculoskeletal service delivery in an Australian public health service
Comans, T. A., Chang, A. T., Standfield, L., Knowles, D., O'Leary, S. and Raymer, M. (2017). The development and practical application of a simulation model to inform musculoskeletal service delivery in an Australian public health service. Operations Research for Health Care, 15, 13-18. doi: 10.1016/j.orhc.2017.07.002
2017
Journal Article
Substitution of doctors with physiotherapists in the management of common musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review
Marks, Darryn, Comans, Tracy, Bisset, Leanne and Scuffham, Paul A. (2017). Substitution of doctors with physiotherapists in the management of common musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review. Physiotherapy, 103 (4), 341-351. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2016.11.006
2017
Journal Article
Home-based telehealth service for swallowing and nutrition management following head and neck cancer treatment
Collins, Annette, Burns, Clare L., Ward, Elizabeth C., Comans, Tracy, Blake, Claire, Kenny, Lizbeth, Greenup, Phil and Best, Daniel (2017). Home-based telehealth service for swallowing and nutrition management following head and neck cancer treatment. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 23 (10), 866-872. doi: 10.1177/1357633X17733020
2017
Journal Article
Utility-based instruments for people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis
Li, Li, Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Comans, Tracy and Scuffham, Paul (2017). Utility-based instruments for people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Value in Health, 21 (4), 471-481. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2017.09.005
2017
Journal Article
Private health insurance incentives in Australia: in search of cost-effective adjustments
Sowa, P. Marcin, Kault, Sam, Byrnes, Joshua, Ng, Shu-Kay, Comans, Tracy and Scuffham, Paul A. (2017). Private health insurance incentives in Australia: in search of cost-effective adjustments. Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, 16 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s40258-017-0338-6
2017
Journal Article
An investigation of self-reported health-related productivity loss in office workers and associations with individual and work-related factors using an employer's perspective
Pereira, Michelle Jessica, Johnston, Venerina, Straker, Leon Melville, Sjogaard, Gisela, Melloh, Markus, O'Leary, Shaun Patrick and Comans, Tracy Anne (2017). An investigation of self-reported health-related productivity loss in office workers and associations with individual and work-related factors using an employer's perspective. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 59 (7), e138-e144. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001043
2017
Journal Article
Impact of a person-centred community rehabilitation service on outcomes for individuals with a neurological condition
Barker, Ruth N., Sealey, Cindy J., Polley, Michelle L., Mervin, Merehau C. and Comans, Tracy (2017). Impact of a person-centred community rehabilitation service on outcomes for individuals with a neurological condition. Disability and Rehabilitation, 39 (11), 1136-1142. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2016.1185803
2017
Journal Article
Process to establish 11 primary contact allied health pathways in a public health service
Stute, Michelle, Moretto, Nicole, Raymer, Maree, Banks, Merrilyn, Buttrum, Peter, Sam, Sonia, Bhagwat, Marita and Comans, Tracy (2017). Process to establish 11 primary contact allied health pathways in a public health service. Australian Health Review, 42 (3), 258-265. doi: 10.1071/AH16206
2017
Journal Article
Home Quick - occupational therapy home visits using mHealth, to facilitate discharge from acute admission back to the community
Nix, Jacqueline and Comans, Tracy (2017). Home Quick - occupational therapy home visits using mHealth, to facilitate discharge from acute admission back to the community. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 9 (1), 47-54. doi: 10.5195/ijt.2017.6218
2017
Journal Article
Public Preferences for the Use of Taxation and Labelling Policy Measures to Combat Obesity in Young Children in Australia
Comans, Tracy, Moretto, Nicole and Byrnes, Joshua (2017). Public Preferences for the Use of Taxation and Labelling Policy Measures to Combat Obesity in Young Children in Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14 (3) 324, 324. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14030324
2017
Journal Article
The cost-effectiveness of a web-based multimodal therapy for unilateral cerebral palsy: the Mitii randomized controlled trial
Comans, Tracy, Mihala, Gabor, Sakzewski, Leanne, Boyd, Roslyn N. and Scuffham, Paul (2017). The cost-effectiveness of a web-based multimodal therapy for unilateral cerebral palsy: the Mitii randomized controlled trial. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 59 (7), 756-761. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.13414
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
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
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