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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

204 works between 2008 and 2025

141 - 160 of 204 works

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

What does the Australian general public know about treatments for dementia? A population survey

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

An economic model of advance care planning in Australia: a cost-effective way to respect patient choice

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

The development and practical application of a simulation model to inform musculoskeletal service delivery in an Australian public health service

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

Substitution of doctors with physiotherapists in the management of common musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review

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

Home-based telehealth service for swallowing and nutrition management following head and neck cancer treatment

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

Utility-based instruments for people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis

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

Private health insurance incentives in Australia: in search of cost-effective adjustments

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

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

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

Impact of a person-centred community rehabilitation service on outcomes for individuals with a neurological condition

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

Process to establish 11 primary contact allied health pathways in a public health service

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

Home Quick - occupational therapy home visits using mHealth, to facilitate discharge from acute admission back to the community

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

Public Preferences for the Use of Taxation and Labelling Policy Measures to Combat Obesity in Young Children in Australia

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

The cost-effectiveness of a web-based multimodal therapy for unilateral cerebral palsy: the Mitii randomized controlled trial

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

Developing a dementia-specific health state classification system for a new preference-based instrument AD-5D

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

An empirical comparison of Markov cohort modeling and discrete event simulation in a capacity-constrained health care setting

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

Agreement between a physiotherapist and an orthopaedic surgeon regarding management and prescription of corticosteroid injection for patients with shoulder pain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inter-rater reliability of an observation-based ergonomics assessment checklist for office workers

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 - 2027
    Australian Cerebral Palsy Musculoskeletal Health Network
    NHMRC MRFF EPCDR - Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions in Children and Adolescents
    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 - 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

  • 2023 - 2024
    To know me is to understand me: Digital life story packages in dementia care transitions (MRFF DAAC externally led by Australian National University (ANU)
    The Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    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
  • 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 - 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
    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