Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 22, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	MEDICAL PROPERTIES TRUST INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001287865
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		135,275,389
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 1,284,688,909
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Entity Registrant Name	MPT Operating Partnership, L.P.
Entity Central Index Key	0001524607
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer