Congratulations to Dr. Siti Farizwana Mohd Ridzwan on Her PhD Viva Success!

We are pleased to congratulate Dr. Siti Farizwana Binti Mohd Ridzwan on successfully defending her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. This achievement is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and commitment to advancing research in radiation safety and occupational health.

About Her Research

Dr. Siti Farizwana’s thesis, “A Mixed-Method Study on the Use of Radioprotective Garments and Personal Dosimeters Among Malaysian Medical Radiation Workers,” examines how medical radiation workers (MRWs) in Malaysia use protective equipment and the factors that affect their adherence to safety guidelines.

Her study used a mixed-method approach, starting with qualitative interviews of 63 MRWs to understand their perspectives, followed by a survey of 411 MRWs to measure adherence to radiation safety practices. The findings highlighted:

• Most MRWs follow general safety guidelines, especially in using protective aprons.
• Thyroid shields are underused due to issues with supply, comfort, and appearance.
• Personal dosimeter usage is inconsistent due to factors like penalties for loss, supply delays, and personal attitudes.
• Behavioural factors such as attitude, self-efficacy, and social influence play a major role in whether MRWs use personal dosimeters regularly.

Her research suggests that improving training, workplace policies, and behavioural interventions can help strengthen radiation safety practices in Malaysian healthcare facilities.

Why This Research Matters

Radiation protection is a crucial part of ensuring the safety of healthcare workers who handle medical imaging and radiation procedures. Dr. Siti Farizwana’s findings provide practical insights that can help improve workplace policies, training programs, and monitoring systems, ultimately creating a safer work environment for MRWs.

Her Publications

Dr. Siti Farizwana has published several research papers based on her work, contributing valuable knowledge to the field of radiation safety:

• Mohd Ridzwan SF, Fritschi L, Bhoo-Pathy N, Wee LH. (2023). The development and validation of a psychometric tool to assess behavioural factors impacting personal dosimeter use among medical radiation workers. Health Physics, 125(4):260-272.
• Mohd Ridzwan SF, Fritschi L, Bhoo-Pathy N. (2023). Radiation safety and radiation monitoring practices among medical radiation workers in Malaysia. International Journal of Radiation Research, 21(3):459-468.
• Siti Farizwana MR, Isahak M, Elavarasi S, Abd Hamid H. (2021). The overview of occupational radiation monitoring management: challenging issues and future improvements. Malaysian Journal of Qualitative Research, 7(1):70-81.
• Siti Farizwana MR, Bhoo-Pathy N, Lei Hum W, Isahak M. (2021). Beliefs, facilitating factors, and barriers in using personal dosimeter among medical radiation workers in a middle-income Asian setting. Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 1–15.
• Siti Farizwana MR, Bhoo-Pathy N, Isahak M, Lei Hum W. (2019). Perceptions on radioprotective garment usage and underlying reasons for non-adherence among medical radiation workers from public hospitals in a middle-income Asian setting: a qualitative exploration. Heliyon, 5(9): e02478.

These publications reflect her dedication to improving occupational radiation safety and contribute to ongoing discussions in the field.

Acknowledgement

We wish to acknowledge the invaluable guidance and mentorship provided by Dr. Siti Farizwana’s supervisors, Professor Dr. Nirmala Bhoo Pathy (Universiti Malaya), Professor Dr. Lin Fritschi (Curtin University, Australia), and Professor Dr. Wei Lee Hum (Taylor’s University), whose expertise and support were instrumental in the completion of her thesis. We would also like to acknowledge Dr. Marzuki Isahak, who was her supervisor prior to him joining PETRONAS.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Dr. Naesinee Chaiear (Khon Kaen University, Thailand) and Professor Dr. Zubairu Iliyasu (Bayero University Kano, Nigeria), the External Examiners, and Professor Dr. Wong Li Ping (Universiti Malaya), the Internal Examiner.

We would also like to thank the Committee of Examiners for their thorough evaluation and insightful feedback, including Professor Dr. Azlina Abdul Aziz (Chairperson), Professor Dr. Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman (Deputy Dean, Postgraduate Studies), and Professor Dr. Victor CW Hoe (Head of Department, Social and Preventive Medicine)

Looking Ahead

Dr. Siti Farizwana’s research paves the way for new developments in radiation protection policies and workplace interventions. We are confident that her work will continue to make a significant impact in public health, occupational safety, and medical radiation research.

Once again, congratulations, Dr. Siti Farizwana Binti Mohd Ridzwan! 🎉👏 Your dedication and scholarly contributions are truly inspiring, and we wish you continued success in your future research and professional endeavors.