Earnings Per Common Unit (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 23,480	$ (1,904)	$ 52,305	$ 9,031
Basic weighted-average units	134,781	110,714	131,467	110,568
Dilutive weighted-average units	134,782	110,719	131,467	110,576
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P.
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	23,480	(1,886)	52,305	9,093
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations	(44)	(43)	(130)	(131)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(225)	(264)	(715)	(860)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	23,211	(2,193)	51,460	8,102
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT Operating Partnership partners	8,028	2,372	9,169	4,944
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 31,239	$ 179	$ 60,629	$ 13,046
Basic weighted-average units	134,781	110,714	131,467	110,568
Dilutive options	1	5		8
Dilutive weighted-average units	134,782	110,719	131,467	110,576

Income (loss) from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings.

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Net Income Less Participating Securities Share In Earnings

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Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests.

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This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items after deduction or consideration of the amount allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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Earnings allocated (not distributed) to participating securities under the two-class method to the extent that participating securities may share in earnings as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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