Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Real estate assets
Land, buildings and improvements and intangible lease assets	$ 1,282,373		$ 1,275,399
Mortgage loans	265,000		165,000
Net investment in direct financing leases	200,285
Gross investment in real estate assets	1,747,658		1,440,399
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(112,484)		(103,737)
Net investment in real estate assets	1,635,174		1,336,662
Cash and cash equivalents	126,500		102,726
Interest and rent receivable	33,650	[1]	29,862	[1]
Straight-line rent receivable	35,493		33,993
Other loans	165,207		74,839
Other assets	52,438		43,792
Total Assets	2,048,462		1,621,874
Liabilities
Debt, net	900,225	[1]	689,849	[1]
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	62,278		51,125
Deferred revenue	22,544		23,307
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	28,668		28,778
Total liabilities	1,013,715		793,059
Equity/Capital
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 10,000 shares; no shares outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 250,000 shares; issued and outstanding - 134,524 shares at March 31, 2012, and 110,786 shares at December 31, 2011	134		111
Additional paid in capital	1,277,283		1,055,256
Distributions in excess of net income	(230,676)		(214,059)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(11,732)		(12,231)
Treasury shares, at cost	(262)		(262)
Total Medical Properties Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,034,747		828,815
Non-controlling interests
Total equity	1,034,747		828,815
Total Liabilities and Equity	2,048,462		1,621,874
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Real estate assets
Land, buildings and improvements and intangible lease assets	1,282,373		1,275,399
Mortgage loans	265,000		165,000
Net investment in direct financing leases	200,285
Gross investment in real estate assets	1,747,658		1,440,399
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(112,484)		(103,737)
Net investment in real estate assets	1,635,174		1,336,662
Cash and cash equivalents	126,500		102,726
Interest and rent receivable	33,650		29,862
Straight-line rent receivable	35,493		33,993
Other loans	165,207		74,839
Other assets	52,438		43,792
Total Assets	2,048,462		1,621,874
Liabilities
Debt, net	900,225		689,849
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	34,768		28,780
Deferred revenue	22,544		23,307
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	28,668		28,778
Payable due to Medical Properties Trust, Inc.	27,120		21,955
Total liabilities	1,013,325		792,669
Equity/Capital
General Partner - issued and outstanding - 1,344 units at March 31, 2012 and 1,107 units at December 31, 2011	10,472		8,418
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(11,732)		(12,231)
Total MPT Operating Partnership capital	1,035,137		829,205
Non-controlling interests
Total capital	1,035,137		829,205
Total Liabilities and Equity	2,048,462		1,621,874
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Equity/Capital
Limited Partners Capital	1,036,397		833,018
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | LTIP Units [Member]
Equity/Capital
Limited Partners Capital

[1] Level II: Fair value based on quoted prices for similar or identical instruments in active or inactive markets, respectively, or calculated utilizing model-derived valuations in which significant inputs or value drivers are observable in active markets.