In this article, we explore the role of network access and decentralization in blockchain applications and describe blockchain applications across the continuum of network access and decentralization to provide the reader with a framework for the practical evaluation of a blockchain application.

For healthcare companies, the use of blockchain has the potential to revolutionize data storage practices, at a fraction of the price of traditional processes. This article provides a summary of blockchain, identifies legal issues, and discusses some of the exciting possibilities and challenges to execution in the healthcare sector.