Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Units [Member] LTIP Units [Member] Ltip Units [Member] LTIP Units [Member] Assets [Abstract] Assets Real Estate Assets Abstract Real estate assets Land, buildings and improvements, and intangible lease assets Land Buildings And Improvements And Intangible Lease Assets Land, buildings and improvements and intangible lease assets Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net, Total Mortgage loans Net Investment in Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases Net investment in direct financing leases Net Investment in Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases, Total Net investment in direct financing leases Gross investment in real estate assets Gross Investment In Real Estate Assets Gross investment in real estate assets Gross investment in real estate assets Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation And Amortization Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated depreciation and amortization Net Investment In Real Estate Assets Net Investment In Real Estate Assets Net investment in real estate assets Net investment in real estate assets Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash & cash equivalents Interest and rent receivable Interest And Rent Receivable Interest and rent receivables Interest and rent receivable Straight-line rent receivable Straight Line Rent Receivable Straight-line rent receivable Other loans Other Loans Other loans Other Assets Other assets Other assets Assets Total Assets Total Assets Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Abstract Liabilities and Equity Liabilities [Abstract] Liabilities Long Term Debt Debt, net Total senior notes available Long-term Debt, Total Debt, net Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Current And Noncurrent Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Accounts payable and accrued expenses Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Ending Balance Deferred Revenue, Beginning Balance Deferred Revenue, Total Deferred revenue Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants Lease Deposits And Other Obligations To Tenants Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants Payable due to parent company Payable Due To Parent Company Payable due to Medical Properties Trust, Inc. Liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Abstract Equity/Capital Preferred stock value Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Preferred stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 10,000 shares; no shares outstanding Common stock value Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total 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 General Partners' Capital Account General Partner - issued and outstanding - 1,344 units at March 31, 2012 and 1,107 units at December 31, 2011 General Partners' Capital Account, Total Limited Partners' Capital Account Limited Partners Capital Limited Partners' Capital Account, Total Additional paid in capital common stock Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional paid in capital Retained earningsaccumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Distributions in excess of net income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss Treasury Stock Value Treasury shares, at cost Treasury shares, at cost Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury shares, at cost Stockholders Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Total Medical Properties Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity Total Medical Properties Trust, Inc. stockholders' equity Partners' Capital Partners' Capital, Ending Balance Partners' Capital, Beginning Balance Total MPT Operating Partnership capital Total Medical Properties Trust Inc. stockholder's equity Minority Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Non-controlling interests Non-controlling interests Non-controlling interests Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Total equity Total equity Capital Total capital Total capital Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Total Liabilities and Equity Total Liabilities and Equity Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance Preferred stock, shares outstanding Common Stock Par Or Stated Value PerS hare Common stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common stock, shares outstanding General Partners' Capital Account, Units Issued General Partner, units issued General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding General Partner, units outstanding Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Issued Limited Partners, units issued Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding Limited Partners, units outstanding Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract] Revenues Abstract Revenues Rent billed Rent Billed Rent billed Straight-line rent Straight Line Rent Straight-line rent Capital Leases, Income Statement, Direct Financing Lease Revenue Income from direct financing leases Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial, Real Estate Interest and fee income Revenues Total revenues Total revenues Costs And Expenses Abstract Expenses Depreciation And Amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Real estate depreciation and amortization Direct Costs Of Leased And Rented Property Or Equipment Property-related General And Administrative Expense General and administrative General and administrative Acquisition Costs Acquisition expenses Costs And Expenses Total operating expenses Total operating expenses Operating Income Loss Operating income Operating income (expense) Nonoperating Income Expense Abstract Other income (expense) Investment Income Interest Investment income interest Interest income (expense) and other Interest Expense Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Interest expense Nonoperating Income Expense Net other expense Net other income (expense) Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) from continuing operations Income from continuing operations Income from continuing operations Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Income (loss) Income from discontinued operations Income from discontinued operations Profit Loss Net income Net income Net income (loss) Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests Net income attributable to non-controlling interests Non-controlling interests share in continuing operations Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net income attributable to non-controlling interests Net Income Loss Net income attributable to MPT Operating Partnership partners Net income (loss) attributable to MPT common stockholders Earnings Per Share/Common Unit [Abstract] Earnings per common share/unit - basic and diluted Income Loss From Continuing Operations Attributable To Common Stockholders Earnings Per Common Share Basic And Diluted Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MPT Operating Partnership partners Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders Income From Discontinued Operations Attributable To Common Stockholders Per Common Share Earnings per common share-diluted Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT Operating Partnership partners Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders Net Income Attributable To Common Stockholders Per Common Share Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders/Operating Partnership partners Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted average units outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic weighted-average common shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Dilutive weighted-average common shares/units Dilutive weighted-average common shares Diluted Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared Dividends declared per common share/unit Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other comprehensive income: Other comprehensive income: Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized gain on interest rate swap Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Abstract Operating Activities Operating activities Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Abstract Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Depreciation and amortization Straight-line rent revenue Straight Line Rent Revenue Straight-line rent revenue Straight-line rent revenue Share Based Compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Share-based compensation Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Increase accounts payable and accrued liabilities Amortization Of Financing Costs And Discounts Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts, Total Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and debt discount Increase Decrease In Interest And Rent Receivable Increase Decrease In Interest And Rent Receivable Increase in interest and rent receivable Decrease in interest and rent receivable Adjustments Noncash Items To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Other Other adjustments Other adjustments Other adjustments Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Abstract Investing Activities Investing activities Payments To Acquire Real Estate Real estate acquired Real estate assets purchased Total Real estate acquired Proceeds From Collection Of Loans Receivable Principal received on loans receivable Payments To Acquire Loans Receivable Investment in loans receivable direct financing leases, and other investments Investment in loans receivable Construction in progress, equipment, and other Construction In Progress Equipment And Other Construction in progress and other Construction in progress, equipment, and other Construction in progress, equipment, and other Construction in progress, equipment, and other Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Net cash used for investing activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Abstract Financing Activities Financing activities Revolving credit facilities, net Revolving Credit Facilities Net Revolving credit facilities, net Revolving credit facilities, net Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Additions to term debt Repayments Of Long Term Debt Payments of term debt Term loan paid off Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Repaid and terminated term loan facility Payments Of Ordinary Dividends Distributions paid Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Total Distributions paid Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Sale of common stock, net Proceeds from issuance of common stock Proceeds From Lease Deposits and Other Obligations to Tenants Proceeds From Lease Deposits and Other Obligations to Tenants Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants Proceeds from lease deposits and other obligations to tenants Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities Other financing activities Debt issuance costs paid and other financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities Net cash provided by financing activities Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for period Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for period Interest Paid Interest Paid, Total Interest paid Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing Activities: Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing Activities: Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities: Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Assumption Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Assumption Real estate acquired via assumption of mortgage loan Supplemental Schedule Of Non Cash Financing Activities Abstract Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities: Dividends Payable Amount Distributions declared, unpaid Loans Assumed Mortgage Loan Real Estate Acquired Loans Assumed Mortgage Loan Real Estate Acquired Assumption of mortgage loan (as part of real estate acquired) Organization [Abstract] Organization [Abstract] Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure Text Block Organization Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies Text Block Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Real Estate And Lending Activities [Abstract] Real Estate and Lending Activities [Abstract] Real Estate and Lending Activities Real Estate And Lending Activities Text Block Real Estate And Lending Activities Debt [Abstract] Debt [Abstract] Long Term Debt Text Block Debt Common stock/partner's capital [Abstract] Common Stock/Partner's Capital [Abstract] Common Stock [Abstract] Common Stock And Partners Capital Disclosure [Text Block] Common Stock And Partners Capital Disclosure [Text Block] Common Stock/Partner's Capital Stock Awards [Abstract] Stock Awards [Abstract] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Text Block Stock Awards Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures Text Block Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations Disclosure Text Block Discontinued Operations Earnings Per Share Text Block Earnings Per Share/Common Unit Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure Text Block Contingencies Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract] Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Consolidation, Policy [Text Block] Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block] Variable Interest Entities Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Carrying Value Of Variable Interest Entities Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Text Block] List Of Assets Purchased As Part Of Acquisitions Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Text Block] Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data Schedule Of Components Of Net Investments In Direct Finance Lease [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Components Of Net Investments In Direct Finance Lease [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Components Of Net Investments In DFL Summary Of Debt Text Block Summary Of Debt Principal Payments Due for Debt. Principal Payments Due for Debt Text Block Principal Payments Due For Debt Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Text Block] Summary Of Fair Value Information Of Financial Instruments Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Equity Interest Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Text Block] Schedule Of Discontinued Operations Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items] Calculation Of Earnings Per Share Text Block Calculation Of Earnings Per Share Summary Of Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet [Table Text Block] Summary Of Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet [Table Text Block] Summary Of Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Summary Of Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Income [Table Text Block] Summary Of Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Income [Table Text Block] Summary Of Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Income Summary Of Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Table Text Block] Summary Of Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Table Text Block] Summary Of Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount Maximum Loss Exposure Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets Carrying Amount Schedule Of Significant Acquisitions And Disposals [Table] Range [Axis] Range [Member] Range [Domain] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Real Estate And Lending Activities [Line Items] Real Estate And Lending Activities [Line Items] Combined purchase price and investment amount Combined Purchase Price And Investment Amount Combined purchase price and investment amount Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price Business acquisition, cost of acquired entity, purchase price Total Purchase price of real estate Loans Receivable, Gross, Commercial, Mortgage First mortgage loan Loans Receivable, Gross, Commercial, Acquisition Acquisition loan made Equity Method Investments Equity investments Capital contribution Number of Businesses Acquired Number of facilities acquired Number of States in which Entity Operates Number of states Payments for (Proceeds from) Previous Acquisition Payments for (Proceeds from) Previous Acquisition, Total Aggregate purchase price Lease Period Lease Period Term of lease, years Number Of Extension Options In Current Lease Contract Number Of Extension Options In Current Lease Contract Number of lease extension options in current lease contract Lease Extension Period Lease Extension Period Term of lease extension, years Percentage of rental rate Percentage Of Rental Rate Percentage of rental rate Secured Debt Loan secured by mortgage interest Secured Debt, Total Secured working capital loan Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures Total investment Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures, Total Preferential Rate Of Return On Loan Preferential Rate Of Return On Loan Preferential rate of return on loan amount Preferential Rate Of Return On Remaining Earnings Preferential Rate Of Return On Remaining Earnings Preferential return on remaining earnings Coupon Payable In Cash In The, Year One Coupon Payable In Cash In The, Year One Coupon payable in cash, year one Coupon Payable In Cash In The, Year Two Coupon Payable In Cash In The, Year Two Coupon payable in cash, year two Coupon Payable In Cash In, Thereafter Coupon Payable In Cash In, Thereafter Coupon payable in cash in, thereafter Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation, Date Acquired Date acquired Business Acquisition Number of Entities Acquired. Business Acquisition Number Of Entities Acquired Number of beds acquired Business Acquisition, Age of Real Estate Acquired Business Acquisition, Age of Real Estate Acquired Age of real estate acquired Lease Expiration Date Lease expiration date Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation, Date of Construction Date of construction Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Payments to acquire equity method investments Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture Working capital loan to the joint venture Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Percentage of ownership interest in subsidiary Ownership interest in equity Ownership interest in Operating Partnership Retained Ownership in Operating Entity Retained Ownership in Operating Entity Retained ownership in operating entity Number Of Stories In Building Number Of Stories In Building Number of stories in building Mortgage Loans on Real Estate Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Ending Balance Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Beginning Balance Existing mortgage loan Mortgage loan assumed, value Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue Revenue contributed by the acquired entity Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue, Total Recognized income from lease inception Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Net Income Loss Net income Income contributed by the acquired entity Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs Acquisition related costs Number Of Business Acquisitions In Period Number Of Business Acquisitions In Period Number of business acquisitions in period Notes Receivable, Related Parties Promissory note Cost of land and building Cost Of Land And Building Costs of land and building Advanced amount of working capital loan agreement. Advanced amount of working capital loan agreement Advanced amount of working capital loan agreement Interest Receivable Interest receivable Period Past Due Period Past Due Period past due, in days Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Write-offs Impairment of working capital loan recognized Lease Termination Write Off Of Rent Receivable Lease Termination Write Off Of Rent Receivable Valuation allowance for rent Lease Termination Writeoff of Rent receivable Receivables Guaranteed By Parent Receivables Guaranteed By Parent Receivables guaranteed by parent Net investment to maximum exposure Impairment of working capital loan estimation-Patient receivables considered for first priority secured interest. Impairment of working capital loan estimation-Patient receivables considered for first priority secured interest Impairment of working capital loan estimation-patient receivables considered for first priority secured interest Impairment of working capital loan estimation-Cash balance considered for first priority secured interest. Impairment of working capital loan estimation-Cash balance considered for first priority secured interest Impairment of working capital loan estimation-cash balance considered for first priority secured interest Impairment of working capital loan estimation-Membership interest of operator or lessee considered for first priority secured interest. Impairment Of Working Capital Loan Estimation Membership Interest Of Operator Or Lessee Considered For First Priority Secured Interest Impairment of working capital loan estimation-membership interest of operator/lessee considered for first priority secured interest Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Amount Amount of convertible note converted into equity interest Convertible Debt Convertible Debt, Total Convertible note Percentage of equity shares from convertible debt Percentage Of Equity Shares From Convertible Debt Percentage of equity shares from convertible debt Remaining convertible debt after conversion of part of debt Remaining Convertible Debt After Conversion Of Part Of Debt Remaining convertible debt after conversion of part of debt Revenue From Transaction As Percentage. Revenue From Transaction As Percentage Percentage of entity revenue from affiliates Percentage of total assets accounted Percentage Of Total Assets Accounted Percentage of total assets accounted Maximum percentage of entity's total assets invested on single property Maximum Percentage Of Entity's Total Assets Invested On Single Property Maximum percentage of entity's total assets invested on single property Property, Plant and Equipment by Type [Axis] Property Plant And Equipment Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Land [Member] Land [Member] Building [Member] Building [Member] Intangible Lease Assets [Member] Intangible Lease Assets [Member] Intangible Lease Assets [Member] Real Estate Assets Purchased As Part Of Acquisitions [Line Items] Real Estate Assets Purchased As Part Of Acquisitions [Line Items] Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Acquisition Costs or Sale Proceeds Total Significant acquisitions and disposals of acquisition Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Useful Life Weighted average useful life of acquired intangible lease assets (in years) Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Total revenues Net Income Loss per share Attributable to Common Stockholder Net Income Loss per share Attributable to Common Stockholder Net income per share/unit - diluted Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Total Minimum lease payments receivable Estimated Residual Values Estimated Residual Values Estimated residual values Less Unearned Income Less Unearned Income Less unearned income Less unearned income Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Longterm Debt Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Unsecured Debt [Member] 2006 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] Exchangeable senior notes. Exchangeable Senior Notes [Member] Exchangeable Senior Notes [Member] Term loans. Term Loans [Member] Term Loans [Member] Two Thousand Twelve Term Loans [Member] Two Thousand Twelve Term Loans [Member] 2012 Term Loan [Member] Line Of Credit [Member] Revolving Credit Facilities [Member] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Interest Rate Contract [Member] Interest Rate Contract [Member] Interest rate contract one. Interest Rate Contract One [Member] Interest Rate Contract One [Member] Interest rate contract two. Interest Rate Contract Two [Member] Interest Rate Contract Two [Member] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Final Maturity Date Mortgage loan assumed, maturity date Mortgage loan maturity date Unsecured Debt Unsecured senior notes, value of offering Unsecured Debt, Total Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Bears interest rate of percentage Unsecured senior notes, interest rate Interest rate of Senior Note due 2011 Unsecured senior note, maturity date. Unsecured Senior Note, Maturity Date Unsecured senior note, maturity date Line of Credit Facility, Increase, Additional Borrowings Revolving credit facility Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding Increased total availability Revolving credit facilities, balance amount Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Credit facilities, basis spread on variable rate LIBOR Plus Spread Interest Rate LIBOR plus spread interest rate Debt instrument, initial spread interest rate. Debt Instrument, Initial Spread Interest Rate Initial spread interest rate Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Exchangeable senior notes due date Term loan facility, maturity period Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering Net proceeds, after underwriting discount Line of Credit Facility, Periodic Payment Paid off term loan Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives Interest rate swap, amount fixed Maturity date of interest rate swap Maturity date of interest rate swap Interest rate of interest rate derivative instrument. Interest rate of interest rate derivative instrument Interest rate of derivative instrument Derivative Liability, Fair Value Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Total Fair value of the interest rate swaps Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Other Assets Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value Other collateral assets Derivative, Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain (Loss) Hedge ineffectiveness and income statement effect in period Debt Instrument, Face Amount Principal amount Debt face amount Portion of debt instrument face amount. Portion Of Debt Instrument Face Amount Portion of debt instrument face amount Percentage of dividends payable on basis of adjusted operating funds. Percentage Of Dividends Payable On Basis Of Adjusted Operating Funds Percentage of dividends paid from adjusted operating funds Percentage of dividends payable on basis of adjusted operating funds for current year. Percentage Of Dividends Payable On Basis Of Adjusted Operating Funds For Current Year Restricted percentage for future dividend payment Percentage of dividends payable on basis of adjusted operating funds for one year. Percentage Of Dividends Payable On Basis Of Adjusted Operating Funds For One Year Restricted percentage for dividend payment for next year Percentage of dividends payable on senior unsecured notes. Percentage Of Dividends Payable On Senior Unsecured Notes Percentage of dividends paid from operation funds Maximum percentage of unencumbered assets. Maximum Percentage Of Unencumbered Assets Percentage of total unencumbered assets Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount Unamortized discount Debt instrument amount net Debt instrument amount net Debt instrument, net Debt instrument, net Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms Interest Rate Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months 2012 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two 2013 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three 2014 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four 2015 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five 2016 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five Thereafter Thereafter Long-term Debt, Gross Total Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investment, Equity Method Investee, Name [Axis] Equity Method Investee Name [Domain] Equity Method Investee, Name [Domain] Employee [Member] Employee [Member] Employee [Member] Class of Stock [Axis] Class Of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Public offering. Public Offering [Member] Public Offering [Member] Class of Stock [Line Items] Public offering price for Common stock per share. Public offering price for common stock Public offering price for common stock per share Underwriters' Purchase Of Shares To Cover Over Allotments. Underwriters' Purchase Of Shares To Cover Over Allotments Underwriters' purchase of shares to cover overallotment Number of partners shared remaining ownership percentage Number Of Partners Shared Remaining Ownership Percentage Number of partners shared remaining ownership percentage Number of other partners Number Of Other Partners Number of other partners Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Axis] Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Award Type And Plan Name [Domain] Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Time Based Awards [Member] Time Based Awards [Member] Time-Based Awards [Member] Performance based awards. Performance Based Awards [Member] Performance-Based Awards [Member] Multi-Year Performance-Based Awards [member] Multi Year Performance Based Awards [Member] Multi-Year Performance-Based Awards [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Reserved shares of common stock for awards under the Equity Incentive Plan Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant Common stock remaining for future stock awards Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period Share-based compensation, shares issued Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Other Share Increase (Decrease) Share-based compensation, multi-year performance-based awards Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Stock awards vesting period in years Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Estimate Of Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Fair Value [Member] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Loans. Loans Loans Schedule of Investments [Table] Schedule of Investments [Line Items] Investment Owned, at Fair Value Investment, Owned, at Fair Value, Ending Balance Investment, Owned, at Fair Value, Beginning Balance Fair Value Investment Owned, at Cost Cost Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table] Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Axis] Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations Name [Domain] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name [Domain] MountainView Regional Rehabilitation Hospital [Member] Mountainview Regional Rehabilitation Hospital [Member] MountainView Regional Rehabilitation Hospital [Member] Sherman Oaks Hospital [Member] Sherman Oaks Hospital [Member] Sherman Oaks Hospital [Member] Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] Proceeds From Sale Of Productive Assets Sale of real estate Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets, Total Proceeds from sales of real estate Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties Gain on sale of real estate Write off rent receivables. Write Off Rent Receivables wrote-off rent receivables Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue Revenues Discontinued Operation Gain Loss On Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Net Of Tax Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Total Gain on sale Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share, Total Earnings per share/unit - diluted Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, by Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Stock Options [Member] Stock Options [Member] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations Non-controlling interests share in continuing operations Participating securities' share in earnings Participating securities' share in earnings Participating securities share in earnings Participating securities' share in earnings Income (loss) from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings. Income (loss) from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings Income (loss) from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings Income (loss) from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders Net Income Less Participating Securities Share In Earnings Net Income Less Participating Securities Share In Earnings Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings Net income, less participating securities share in earnings Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements Dilutive share options Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements, Total Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Options excluded from earnings per share/unit Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Eliminations [Member] Eliminations [Member] Eliminations [Member] Parent Company [Member] Parent [Member] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Net intercompany receivable (payable) Net intercompany receivable (payable) Net intercompany receivable (payable) Deferred Tax Assets, Investment in Subsidiaries Investment in subsidiaries Equity In Earnings Of Consolidated Subsidiaries Net Of Income Taxes Equity In Earnings Of Consolidated Subsidiaries Net Of Income Taxes Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries net of income taxes Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates Investments in and advances to subsidiaries Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates, Total Investments in and advances to subsidiaries MPT Operating Partnership L.P [Member] Mpt Operating Partnership L P [Member] MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] Variable Interest Entities by Classification of Entity [Axis] Classification Of Variable Interest Entity [Domain] Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Loans [Member] Loans, Net [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] Equity Investments [Member] Mortgage And Other Loans [Member] Mortgage And Other Loans [Member] Mortgage And Other Loans [Member] Other Assets [Member] Other Assets [Member] Key Management Personnel [Member] Key Management Personnel [Member] Key Management Personnel [Member] Statement, Geographical [Axis] Segment Geographical [Domain] Segment, Geographical [Domain] U [S] United States [Member] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Series Of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member] Business Acquisitions [Member] Major Customers [Axis] Name Of Major Customer [Domain] Name of Major Customer [Domain] Gilbert Hospital [Member] Gilbert Hospital [Member] Gilbert Hospital [Member] Atrium Medical Center [Member] Atrium Medical Center [Member] Atrium Medical Center [Member] Bayonne Medical Center [Member] Bayonne Medical Center [Member] Bayonne Medical Center [Member] Alvarado Hospital [Member] Alvarado Hospital [Member] Alvarado Hospital [Member] Northland LTACH Hospital [Member] Northland Ltach Hospital [Member] Northland LTACH Hospital [Member] Prime Health Care Services. Prime Health Care Services [Member] Prime Health Care Services [Member] Vibra Health Care. Vibra Health Care [Member] Vibra Health Care [Member] Acute Care Facility [Member] Acute Care Facility [Member] Acute Care Facility [Member] Monroe Hospital [Member] Monroe Hospital [Member] Monroe Hospital [Member] Rehabilitation Hospitals [Member] Rehabilitation Hospitals [Member] Rehabilitation Facility [Member] Florence Facility [Member] Florence Facility [Member] Florence Facility [Member] Denham Springs Facility [Member] Denham Springs Facility [Member] Denham Springs Facility [Member] Ernest Health, Inc. [Member] Ernest Health Inc [Member] Ernest Health Holdings, LLC [Member] Net Investment In Direct Financing Leases [Member] Net Investment In Direct Financing Leases [Member] Net Investment In Direct Financing Leases [Member] Mortgage Loans On Real Estate [Member] Mortgage Loans [Member] Other Loans [Member] Other Loans [Member] Other Loans [Member] Two Thousand Twelve Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] Two Thousand Twelve Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] 2012 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] Federal Funds Rate [Member] Federal Funds Rate [Member] Federal Funds Rate [Member] Eurodollar Rate [Member] Eurodollar Rate [Member] Eurodollar Rate [Member] Senior Debt Obligations [Member] 2011 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] Director [Member] Director [Member] Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type Categorization [Member] Investment Type Categorization [Domain] Acquisition Loan [Member] Acquisition Loan [Member] Acquisition Loan [Member] Medical Properties Trust, Inc. [Member] Medical Properties Trust Inc [Member] Medical Properties Trust, Inc. [Member] Subsidiaries [Member] Subsidiary Issuers [Member] Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] Subsidiary Guarantors [Member] Non Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] Consolidated Entities [Member] Total Consolidated [Member]