Quarterly Financial Data (Summary Of The Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues									$ 143,319	$ 117,197	$ 114,038
Income (loss) from continuing operations									19,431	10,248	29,945
Income from discontinued operations									7,283	12,764	6,422
Net income									26,714	23,012	36,367
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders									26,536	22,913	36,330
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - basic									$ 0.23	$ 0.22	$ 0.45
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic									110,623	100,706	78,117
Net income (loss) attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - diluted									$ 0.23	$ 0.22	$ 0.45
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted									110,629	100,708	78,117
Medical Properties Trust, Inc. [Member]
Revenues	36,802	36,774	35,396	34,347	30,677	27,621	29,534	29,365
Income (loss) from continuing operations	8,082	(237)	1,934	9,652	7,567	7,967	(1,037)	(4,249)	(17)	(75)	(63)
Income from discontinued operations	4,658	705	748	1,172	3,062	997	7,269	1,436	7,283	12,764	6,422
Net income	12,740	468	2,682	10,824	10,629	8,964	6,232	(2,813)	26,714	23,012	36,367
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders	12,692	424	2,640	10,780	10,593	8,919	6,223	(2,822)	26,536	22,913	36,330
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - basic	$ 0.11		$ 0.02	$ 0.09	$ 0.09	$ 0.08	$ 0.06	$ (0.04)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	110,788	110,714	110,589	110,400	110,103	110,046	103,498	79,176
Net income (loss) attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - diluted	$ 0.11		$ 0.02	$ 0.09	$ 0.09	$ 0.08	$ 0.06	$ (0.04)
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	110,788	110,719	110,600	110,408	110,108	110,046	103,498	79,178
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Revenues	36,802	36,774	35,396	34,347	30,677	27,621	29,534	29,365	143,319	117,197	114,038
Income (loss) from continuing operations	8,037	(219)	1,961	9,669	7,568	7,958	(968)	(4,235)	19,448	10,323	30,008
Income from discontinued operations	4,658	705	748	1,172	3,062	997	7,269	1,436	7,283	12,764	6,422
Net income	12,695	486	2,709	10,841	10,630	8,955	6,301	(2,799)	26,731	23,087	36,430
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders	$ 12,647	$ 443	$ 2,667	$ 10,796	$ 10,593	$ 8,910	$ 6,292	$ (2,807)	$ 26,553	$ 22,988	$ 36,393
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - basic	$ 0.11		$ 0.02	$ 0.09	$ 0.09	$ 0.08	$ 0.06	$ (0.04)	$ 0.23	$ 0.22	$ 0.45
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	110,788	110,714	110,589	110,400	110,103	110,046	103,498	79,176	110,623	100,706	78,117
Net income (loss) attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - diluted	$ 0.11		$ 0.02	$ 0.09	$ 0.09	$ 0.08	$ 0.06	$ (0.04)	$ 0.23	$ 0.22	$ 0.45
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	110,788	110,719	110,600	110,408	110,108	110,046	103,498	79,178	110,629	100,708	78,117