
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
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
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
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Tracy Comans is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
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
Improving diabetes care with digital health
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kim-Huong Nguyen, Dr David Chua
-
Doctor Philosophy
Heuristics and Biases in Budgeting Decisions for Home Care Packages Under Consumer-directed Care Funding Model
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Len Gray, Dr Kim-Huong Nguyen, Dr Zachary Breig
Completed supervision
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Quality measurement in aged care to inform economic analyses
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kim-Huong Nguyen
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the use of causal inference in infectious disease epidemiology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Mr Mark Chatfield, Professor Lisa Hall
-
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: Professor Shaun O'Leary, Professor Trevor Russell
Media
Enquiries
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