Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating activities
Net income	$ 26,714	$ 23,012	$ 36,367
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	35,477	26,312	26,309
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and debt discount	9,289	6,110	5,824
Premium on extinguishment of debt	13,091	3,833
Straight-line rent revenue	(7,142)	(4,932)	(9,536)
Share/Unit-based compensation expense	6,983	6,616	5,488
(Gain) loss from sale of real estate	(5,431)	(10,566)	(278)
Provision for uncollectible receivables and loans	1,499	14,400
Straight-line rent write-off	2,470	3,694	1,111
Payment of discount on extinguishment of debt	(4,850)	(7,324)
Other adjustments	1,622	(30)	(1,167)
Decrease (increase) in:
Interest and rent receivable	(6,118)	(5,490)	(2,433)
Other assets	142	(566)	126
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	5,354	(3,177)	1,700
Deferred revenue	170	8,745	(760)
Net cash provided by operating activities	79,270	60,637	62,751
Investing activities
Real estate acquired	(246,511)	(137,808)	(421)
Proceeds from sale of real estate	41,130	97,669	15,000
Principal received on loans receivable	4,289	90,486	4,305
Investment in loans receivable	(28,144)	(11,637)	(23,243)
Construction in progress	(22,999)	(6,638)
Other investments, net	(13,386)	(9,291)	(7,777)
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities	(265,621)	22,781	(12,136)
Financing activities
Proceeds from term debt, net of discount	450,000	148,500
Payments of term debt	(246,262)	(216,765)	(1,232)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(15,454)	(6,796)	232
Revolving credit facilities, net	89,600	(137,200)	(55,800)
Distributions paid	(89,601)	(77,087)	(61,649)
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	8,621	3,667	3,390
Proceeds from sale of common shares/units, net of offering costs		288,066	68,003
Other	(6,235)	(2,702)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	190,669	(317)	(47,056)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year	4,318	83,101	3,559
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	98,408	15,307	11,748
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	102,726	98,408	15,307
Interest paid, including capitalized interest of $896 in 2011, $63 in 2010, and $ - in 2009	38,463	29,679	33,272
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Real estate acquired via assumption of mortgage loan	(14,592)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
Loans Assumed Mortgage Loan Real Estate Acquired	14,592
Assumption of mortgage loan (as part of real estate acquired)	14,592
Dividends declared, not paid	22,407	22,374	16,110
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Operating activities
Net income	26,731	23,087	36,430
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	35,477	26,312	26,309
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and debt discount	9,289	6,110	5,824
Premium on extinguishment of debt	13,091	3,833
Straight-line rent revenue	(7,142)	(4,932)	(9,536)
Share/Unit-based compensation expense	6,983	6,616	5,488
(Gain) loss from sale of real estate	(5,431)	(10,566)	(278)
Provision for uncollectible receivables and loans	1,499	14,400
Straight-line rent write-off	2,470	3,694	1,111
Payment of discount on extinguishment of debt	(4,850)	(7,324)
Other adjustments	1,622	(30)	(1,167)
Decrease (increase) in:
Interest and rent receivable	(6,118)	(5,490)	(2,433)
Other assets	142	(566)	126
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	5,337	(3,252)	1,642
Deferred revenue	170	8,745	(760)
Net cash provided by operating activities	79,270	60,637	62,756
Investing activities
Real estate acquired	(246,511)	(137,808)	(421)
Proceeds from sale of real estate	41,130	97,669	15,000
Principal received on loans receivable	4,289	90,486	4,305
Investment in loans receivable	(28,144)	(11,637)	(23,243)
Construction in progress	(22,999)	(6,638)
Other investments, net	(13,386)	(9,291)	(7,777)
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities	(265,621)	22,781	(12,136)
Financing activities
Proceeds from term debt, net of discount	450,000	148,500
Payments of term debt	(246,262)	(216,765)	(1,232)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(15,454)	(6,796)	232
Revolving credit facilities, net	89,600	(137,200)	(55,800)
Distributions paid	(89,601)	(77,087)	(61,649)
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	8,621	3,667	3,390
Proceeds from sale of common shares/units, net of offering costs		288,066	68,003
Other	(6,235)	(2,702)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	190,669	(317)	(47,056)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year	4,318	83,101	3,564
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	98,408	15,307	11,743
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	102,726	98,408	15,307
Interest paid, including capitalized interest of $896 in 2011, $63 in 2010, and $ - in 2009	38,463	29,679	33,272
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Real estate acquired via assumption of mortgage loan	(14,592)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
Loans Assumed Mortgage Loan Real Estate Acquired	14,592
Assumption of mortgage loan (as part of real estate acquired)	14,592
Dividends declared, not paid	$ 22,407	$ 22,374	$ 16,110