Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Summary Of Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Land, buildings and improvements and intangible lease assets	$ 1,282,373		$ 1,275,399
Mortgage loans	265,000		165,000
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
Net investment in direct financing leases	200,285
Cash & cash equivalents	126,500		102,726		7,010	98,408
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
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
Non-controlling interests
Total equity	1,034,747		828,815
Total Liabilities and Equity	2,048,462		1,621,874
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net intercompany receivable (payable)	27,121		21,955
Investment in subsidiaries	1,035,137		829,205
Total Assets	1,062,258		851,160
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	27,511		22,345
Total liabilities	27,511		22,345
Total Medical Properties Trust Inc. stockholder's equity	1,034,747		828,815
Total equity	1,034,747		828,815
Total Liabilities and Equity	1,062,258		851,160
Subsidiary Issuers [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Land, buildings and improvements and intangible lease assets	708		37
Gross investment in real estate assets	708		37
Net investment in real estate assets	708		37
Cash & cash equivalents	124,850		101,230		6,699	96,822
Interest and rent receivable	412		399
Other loans	177		177
Net intercompany receivable (payable)	1,275,634		872,382
Investment in subsidiaries	519,209		489,858
Other assets	32,868		27,284
Total Assets	1,953,858		1,491,367
Debt, net	885,853		635,820
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	32,317		25,783
Deferred revenue	551		559
Total liabilities	918,721		662,162
Total Medical Properties Trust Inc. stockholder's equity	1,035,137		829,205
Total equity	1,035,137		829,205
Total Liabilities and Equity	1,953,858		1,491,367
Subsidiary Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Land, buildings and improvements and intangible lease assets	1,153,464		1,147,161
Mortgage loans	165,000		165,000
Gross investment in real estate assets	1,318,464		1,312,161
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(99,789)		(91,822)
Net investment in real estate assets	1,218,675		1,220,339
Cash & cash equivalents	1,564		1,409		11	1,387
Interest and rent receivable	24,562		22,529
Straight-line rent receivable	25,050		24,005
Net intercompany receivable (payable)	(864,229)		(889,585)
Investment in subsidiaries	42,969		43,008
Other assets	1,606		1,727
Total Assets	450,197		423,432
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,862		2,576
Deferred revenue	16,782		17,488
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	28,028		27,874
Total liabilities	46,672		47,938
Total Medical Properties Trust Inc. stockholder's equity	403,525		375,494
Total equity	403,525		375,494
Total Liabilities and Equity	450,197		423,432
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Land, buildings and improvements and intangible lease assets	128,201		128,201
Mortgage loans	100,000
Gross investment in real estate assets	428,486		128,201
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(12,695)		(11,915)
Net investment in real estate assets	415,791		116,286
Net investment in direct financing leases	200,285
Cash & cash equivalents	86		87		300	199
Interest and rent receivable	8,676		6,934
Straight-line rent receivable	10,443		9,988
Other loans	165,030		74,662
Net intercompany receivable (payable)	(438,526)		(4,752)
Other assets	17,964		14,781
Total Assets	179,464		217,986
Debt, net	14,372		54,029
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	588		421
Deferred revenue	5,211		5,260
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	640		904
Total liabilities	20,811		60,614
Total Medical Properties Trust Inc. stockholder's equity	158,653		157,372
Total equity	158,653		157,372
Total Liabilities and Equity	179,464		217,986
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Investment in subsidiaries	(1,597,315)		(1,362,071)
Total Assets	(1,597,315)		(1,362,071)
Total Medical Properties Trust Inc. stockholder's equity	(1,597,315)		(1,362,071)
Total equity	(1,597,315)		(1,362,071)
Total Liabilities and Equity	(1,597,315)		(1,362,071)
Total Consolidated [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Land, buildings and improvements and intangible lease assets	1,282,373		1,275,399
Mortgage loans	265,000		165,000
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
Net investment in direct financing leases	200,285
Cash & cash equivalents	126,500		102,726		7,010	98,408
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
Debt, net	900,225		689,849
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
Total Medical Properties Trust Inc. stockholder's equity	1,034,747		828,815
Total equity	1,034,747		828,815
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 2,048,462		$ 1,621,874

[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.