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
2014
Journal Article
PC6 acupoint stimulation for the prevention of postcardiac surgery nausea and vomiting: a protocol for a two-group, parallel, superiority randomised clinical trial
Cooke, Marie, Rickard, Claire, Rapchuk, Ivan, Shekar, Kiran, Marshall, Andrea P., Comans, Tracy, Doi, Suhail, McDonald, John and Spooner, Amy (2014). PC6 acupoint stimulation for the prevention of postcardiac surgery nausea and vomiting: a protocol for a two-group, parallel, superiority randomised clinical trial. BMJ Open, 4 (11) 006179, 1-6. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006179
2014
Journal Article
Cost-effectiveness of a physiotherapist-led service for orthopaedic outpatients
Comans, Tracy, Raymer, Maree, O'Leary, Shaun, Smith, David and Scuffham, Paul (2014). Cost-effectiveness of a physiotherapist-led service for orthopaedic outpatients. Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, 19 (4), 216-223. doi: 10.1177/1355819614533675
2014
Journal Article
Markov modelling and DES in health care: a systematic comparison
Standfield, Lachlan, Comans, Tracy A. and Scuffham, Paul (2014). Markov modelling and DES in health care: a systematic comparison. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, 30 (2), 165-172. doi: 10.1017/S0266462314000117
2014
Journal Article
Yes, the government should tax soft drinks: Findings from a citizens' Jury in Australia
Moretto, Nicole, Kendall, Elizabeth, Whitty, Jennifer, Byrnes, Joshua, Hills, Andrew P., Gordon, Louisa, Turkstra, Erika, Scuffham, Paul and Comans, Tracy (2014). Yes, the government should tax soft drinks: Findings from a citizens' Jury in Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11 (3), 2456-2471. doi: 10.3390/ijerph110302456
2014
Journal Article
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 A. (2014). Listening to the experts: is there a place for food taxation in the fight against obesity in early childhood?. BMC Obesity, 1 (15) 15, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s40608-014-0015-3
2014
Journal Article
Evaluation of the effectiveness of a community-based crisis intervention program for people bereaved by suicide
Visser, V.S., Comans, T.A. and Scuffham, P.A. (2014). Evaluation of the effectiveness of a community-based crisis intervention program for people bereaved by suicide. Journal of Community Psychology, 42 (1), 19-28. doi: 10.1002/jcop.21586
2014
Journal Article
IMPOSE (IMProving Outcomes after Sepsis)-the effect of a multidisciplinary follow-up service on health-related quality of life in patients postsepsis syndromes-a double-blinded randomised controlled trial: protocol
Paratz, Jennifer D., Kenardy, Justin, Mitchell, Geoffrey, Comans, Tracy, Coyer, Fiona, Thomas, Peter, Singh, Sunil, Luparia, Louise and Boots, Robert J. (2014). IMPOSE (IMProving Outcomes after Sepsis)-the effect of a multidisciplinary follow-up service on health-related quality of life in patients postsepsis syndromes-a double-blinded randomised controlled trial: protocol. BMJ Open, 4 (5) e004966, e004966. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-004966
2013
Journal Article
The cost-effectiveness and consumer acceptability of taxation strategies to reduce rates of overweight and obesity among children in Australia: Study protocol
Comans T.A., Whitty J.A., Hills A.P., Kendall E., Turkstra E., Gordon L.G., Byrnes J.M. and Scuffham P.A. (2013). The cost-effectiveness and consumer acceptability of taxation strategies to reduce rates of overweight and obesity among children in Australia: Study protocol. BMC Public Health, 13 (1) 1182, 1182.1-1182.6. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-1182
2013
Journal Article
A break-even analysis of delivering a memory clinic by videoconferencing
Comans, Tracy A., Martin-Kahn, Melinda, Gray, Leonard C. and Scuffham, Paul A. (2013). A break-even analysis of delivering a memory clinic by videoconferencing. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 19 (7), 393-396. doi: 10.1177/1357633X13506532
2013
Other Outputs
Engaging the public in prevention of childhood obesity: a citizens jury to address childhood obesity: Is taxation an appropriate strategy for reducing childhood obesity? Report: Verdicts and Recommendations
Moretto, N., Simons, A., Pitt, E., Whitty, J. A., Hills, A., Kendall, E., Turkstra, E., Gordon, L., Byrnes, J., Scuffham, P. and Comans, T. (2013). Engaging the public in prevention of childhood obesity: a citizens jury to address childhood obesity: Is taxation an appropriate strategy for reducing childhood obesity? Report: Verdicts and Recommendations. Nathan, QLD, Australia: Population & Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute.
2013
Journal Article
Quality of life of older frail persons receiving a post-discharge program
Comans, Tracy A., Peel, Nancye M., Gray, Leonard C. and Scuffham, Paul A. (2013). Quality of life of older frail persons receiving a post-discharge program. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 11 (1) 58. doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-11-58
2013
Journal Article
Move it to improve it (Mitii): study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of a novel web-based multimodal training program for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy
Boyd, Roslyn N., Mitchell, Louise E., James, Sarah T., Ziviani, Jenny, Sakzewski, Leanne, Smith, Anthony, Rose, Stephen, Cunnington, Ross, Whittingham, Koa, Ware, Robert S., Comans, Tracey A. and Scuffham, Paul A. (2013). Move it to improve it (Mitii): study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of a novel web-based multimodal training program for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. BMJ Open, 3 (4) e002853, e002853.1-e002853.20. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002853
2013
Journal Article
Problems with a great idea: referral by prehospital emergency services to a community-based falls-prevention service
Comans, Tracy A., Currin, Michelle L., Quinn, Jamie, Tippett, Vivienne, Rogers, Anthea and Haines, Terry P. (2013). Problems with a great idea: referral by prehospital emergency services to a community-based falls-prevention service. Injury Prevention, 19 (2), 134-138. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2011-040076
2013
Journal Article
Cost effectiveness of a community-based crisis intervention program for people bereaved by suicide
Comans, Tracy, Visser, Victoria and Scuffham, Paul (2013). Cost effectiveness of a community-based crisis intervention program for people bereaved by suicide. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 34 (6), 390-397. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000210
2012
Journal Article
Staying Safe at Home. Home environmental audit recommendations and uptake in an older population at high risk of falling
Currin, Michelle L., Comans, Tracy A., Heathcote, Kathy and Haines, Terry P. (2012). Staying Safe at Home. Home environmental audit recommendations and uptake in an older population at high risk of falling. Australasian Journal On Ageing, 31 (2), 90-95. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-6612.2011.00545.x
2012
Journal Article
Using staffing ratios for workforce planning: evidence on nine allied health professions
Cartmill, Linda, Comans, Tracy A., Clark, Michele J., Ash, Susan and Sheppard, Lorraine (2012). Using staffing ratios for workforce planning: evidence on nine allied health professions. Human Resources for Health, 10 (1) 2. doi: 10.1186/1478-4491-10-2
2012
Journal Article
Can post-acute care programmes for older people reduce overall costs in the health system? A case study using the Australian Transition Care Programme
Hall, C. J., Peel, N. M., Comans, T. A., Gray, L. C. and Scuffham, P. A. (2012). Can post-acute care programmes for older people reduce overall costs in the health system? A case study using the Australian Transition Care Programme. Health and Social Care in the Community, 20 (1), 97-102. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2011.01024.x
2012
Conference Publication
Utility Values for Use in Health Care Decision Making for Older Frail Adults
Comans, T. A., Scuffham, P. A., Gray, L. and Peel, N. (2012). Utility Values for Use in Health Care Decision Making for Older Frail Adults. ISPOR 15th Annual European Congress and ISPOR 5th Asia-Pacific Conference, Berlin, Germany, 3-7 November 1012. New York, NY, United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2012.08.219
2012
Journal Article
A randomised controlled trial of an enhanced interdisciplinary community based group program for people with Parkinson's disease: study rationale and protocol
Peters, Catherine, Currin, Michelle, Tyson, Sara, Rogers, Anthea, Healy, Susan, McPhail, Steven, Brauer, Sandra G., Heathcote, Katharine and Comans, Tracy (2012). A randomised controlled trial of an enhanced interdisciplinary community based group program for people with Parkinson's disease: study rationale and protocol. Neurology International, 4 (1) e3, 9-14. doi: 10.4081/ni.2012.e3
2011
Journal Article
Guidelines for conducting and reporting economic evaluation of fall prevention strategies
Davis, J.C., Robertson, M.C., Comans, T. and Scuffham, P.A. (2011). Guidelines for conducting and reporting economic evaluation of fall prevention strategies. Osteoporosis International, 22 (9), 2449-2459. doi: 10.1007/s00198-010-1482-0
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 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
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
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
For media enquiries about Professor Tracy Comans's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: