
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
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
2011
Journal Article
How do allied health professionals evaluate new models of care? What are we measuring and why?
Comans, Tracy A., Clark, Michele J., Cartmill, Linda, Ash, Susan and Sheppard, Lorraine A. (2011). How do allied health professionals evaluate new models of care? What are we measuring and why?. Journal for Healthcare Quality, 33 (4), 19-28. doi: 10.1111/j.1945-1474.2011.00152.x
2011
Other Outputs
Framework for review of existing Medicare Benefits Schedule items: final report for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Turkstra, Erika, Whitty, Jennifer, Comans, Tracy and Scuffham, Paul (2011). Framework for review of existing Medicare Benefits Schedule items: final report for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Nathan, QLD, Australia: Griffith University.
2011
Journal Article
Factors associated with quality of life and caregiver strain amongst frail older adults referred to a community rehabilitation service: implications for service delivery
Comans, Tracy A., Currin, Michelle L., Brauer, Sandra G. and Haines, Terry P (2011). Factors associated with quality of life and caregiver strain amongst frail older adults referred to a community rehabilitation service: implications for service delivery. Disability and Rehabilitation, 33 (13-14), 1251-1221. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2010.525288
2010
Journal Article
Evidence of disagreement between patient-perceived change and conventional longitudinal evaluation of change in health-related quality of life among older adults
McPhail, Steven, Comans, Tracy and Haines, Terry (2010). Evidence of disagreement between patient-perceived change and conventional longitudinal evaluation of change in health-related quality of life among older adults. Clinical Rehabilitation, 24 (11), 1036-1044. doi: 10.1177/0269215510371422
2010
Journal Article
Randomized trial of domiciliary versus center-based rehabilitation: Which is more effective in reducing falls and improving quality of life in older fallers?
Comans, Tracy A., Brauer, Sandy G. and Haines, Terry P. (2010). Randomized trial of domiciliary versus center-based rehabilitation: Which is more effective in reducing falls and improving quality of life in older fallers?. Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 65A (6), 672-679. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glq054
2010
Journal Article
Development of a participatory process to address fragmented application of outcome measurement for rehabilitation in community settings
Hillier, Susan, Comans, Tracy, Sutton, Mathew, Amsters, Delena and Kendall, Melissa (2010). Development of a participatory process to address fragmented application of outcome measurement for rehabilitation in community settings. Disability and Rehabilitation, 32 (6), 511-520. doi: 10.3109/09638280903171519
2010
Conference Publication
Effectiveness of an Enhanced Multidisciplinary Community Based Group Program for Parkinson's Disease
Peters, C., Currin, M., Rogers, A., Tyson, S., Comans, T., Healy, S., McPhail, S., Heathcote, K. and Brauer, S. (2010). Effectiveness of an Enhanced Multidisciplinary Community Based Group Program for Parkinson's Disease. 2nd World Parkinson Congress, Glasgow, Scotland, 28 September - 1 October 2010. HOBOKEN: WILEY-LISS.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Tracy Comans is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
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
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
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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