Professor Tracy Comans
Professor

Tracy Comans

Email: 

Background

Professor Tracy Comans, UQ Amplify Fellow at the Schoolf of Public Health, University of Queensland, and CEO of the National Ageing Research Institute. With her extensive background in health policy, health economics and physiotherapy, Prof Comans brings a unique perspective to her role, bridging the gap between evidence and policy. Prof Comans has been instrumental in shaping aged care policy, using her research to inform and influence implementation of the Royal Commission recommendations. Her work has led to significant advancements in the reporting of the quality of aged care services.

Her research uses economic theories and tools to understand human behaviours in health, individually and collectively, and their impacts on the health system, the wider economy and society. Prof Comans worked for 20+ years in hospital and community settings specializing in geriatric and rehabilitation physiotherapy with embedded research and has worked for over 15 years as a university researcher. She works closely with industry, people with lived experience and health care providers to develop a program of research focused on improving the quality of aged care services that is relevant to the needs of these groups.

Availability

Professor Tracy Comans is:
Not available for supervision

Fields of research

Aged health care Applied economics Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Economics Health Sciences Health economics

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

Search Professor Tracy Comans’s works on UQ eSpace

238 works between 2008 and 2026
All (238) Book (1) Journal Article (192) Other Outputs (12) Conference Publication (32) Book Chapter (1)

161 - 180 of 238 works

2018

Journal Article

Milk other than breast milk and the development of asthma in children 3 years of age. A birth cohort study (2006–2011)

El-Heneidy, Asmaa, Abdel-Rahman, Manar, Mihala, Gabor, Ross, Lynda and Comans, Tracy (2018). Milk other than breast milk and the development of asthma in children 3 years of age. A birth cohort study (2006–2011). Nutrients, 10 (11) 1798, 1798. doi: 10.3390/nu10111798

Milk other than breast milk and the development of asthma in children 3 years of age. A birth cohort study (2006–2011)

2018

Journal Article

Where are we at with model-based economic evaluations of interventions for dementia? A systematic review and quality assessment

Nguyen, Kim-Huong, Comans, Tracy A. and Green, Colin (2018). Where are we at with model-based economic evaluations of interventions for dementia? A systematic review and quality assessment. International Psychogeriatrics, 30 (11), 1593-1605. doi: 10.1017/s1041610218001291

Where are we at with model-based economic evaluations of interventions for dementia? A systematic review and quality assessment

2018

Journal Article

Shoulder pain cost-of-illness in patients referred for public orthopaedic care in Australia

Marks, Darryn, Comans, Tracy, Bisset, Leanne, Thomas, Michael and Scuffham, Paul A. (2018). Shoulder pain cost-of-illness in patients referred for public orthopaedic care in Australia. Australian Health Review, 43 (5), 540-548. doi: 10.1071/AH17242

Shoulder pain cost-of-illness in patients referred for public orthopaedic care in Australia

2018

Journal Article

Dietary patterns of Australian children at three and five years of age and their changes over time: a latent class and latent transition analysis

Pitt, Erin, Cameron, Cate M., Thornton, Lukar, Gallegos, Danielle, Filus, Ania, Ng, Shu-Kay and Comans, Tracy (2018). Dietary patterns of Australian children at three and five years of age and their changes over time: a latent class and latent transition analysis. Appetite, 129, 207-216. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.07.008

Dietary patterns of Australian children at three and five years of age and their changes over time: a latent class and latent transition analysis

2018

Journal Article

Are there missed opportunities for occupational therapy for people with dementia? An audit of practice in Australia

Rahja, Miia, Comans, Tracy, Clemson, Lindy, Crotty, Maria and Laver, Kate (2018). Are there missed opportunities for occupational therapy for people with dementia? An audit of practice in Australia. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 65 (6), 565-574. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12514

Are there missed opportunities for occupational therapy for people with dementia? An audit of practice in Australia

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

The impact of workplace ergonomics and neck-specific exercise versus ergonomics and health promotion interventions on office worker productivity: a cluster-randomized trial

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

Intergenerational care: an exploration of consumer preferences and willingness to pay for care

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

A simulation of dementia epidemiology and resource use in Australia

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

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

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

Rationale and developmental methodology for the SIMPLE approach: A Systematised, Interdisciplinary Malnutrition Pathway for impLementation and Evaluation in hospitals

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

Economic evaluations of occupational therapy approaches for people with cognitive and/or functional decline: A systematic review

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

Comparison of four alternative national universal anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention programme implementation strategies to reduce secondary future medical costs

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

Developing a dementia-specific preference--based quality of life measure (AD-5D) in Australia: a valuation study protocol

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

SImplification of Medications Prescribed to Long-tErm care Residents (SIMPLER): study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

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 2333721418793442, 233372141879344. doi: 10.1177/2333721418793442

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

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

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

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

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 - 2029
    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
    DRIVE CP: Directing Research In Very Early Cerebral Palsy (NHMRC CRE administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    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 - 2028
    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

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 - 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 - 2022
    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 - 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 - 2026
    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
    Digital Hospital: A cost-benefit analysis to inform business cases
    Queensland Health
    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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 - 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

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 David Chua

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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