Introducing the theme in a qualitative interview using a visual starter.

Community involvement implies conscientious citizen engagement, not as passive recipients but active contributors. Insufficient understanding of concepts of health outcome in a socioeconomic deprived context with unemployment'as a major feature was identified as a hindrance to intervention. This communication gives a report of a "visual starter" used as a cognitive instrument for qualitative research on concepts of joblessness and health. Health education and behavioral change efforts are often insufficient in reaching empowerment on individual or community levels. It is suggested that understanding different categories of thinking using a phenomenographic method could contribute to strategies for community involvement. The "visual starter" uses pictures to introduce the theme as well as for associative purposes in the interview.