Earnings Per Share/Common Unit (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 10,485	$ 9,652
Basic weighted-average common shares	124,906,000	110,400,000
Dilutive weighted-average common shares/units	124,906,000	110,408,000
Stock Options [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Options excluded from earnings per share/unit	100,000	100,000
Medical Properties Trust, Inc. [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	10,485	9,652
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations	(42)	(44)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(252)	(316)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	10,191	9,292
Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders	121	1,172
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	10,312	10,464
Basic weighted-average common shares	124,906,000	110,400,000
Dilutive share options		8,000
Dilutive weighted-average common shares/units	124,906,000	110,408,000
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	10,485	9,668
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations	(42)	(44)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(252)	(316)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	10,191	9,308
Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders	121	1,172
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 10,312	$ 10,480
Basic weighted-average common shares	124,906,000	110,400,000
Dilutive share options		8,000
Dilutive weighted-average common shares/units	124,906,000	110,408,000