Calculation of Earnings Per Unit (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 23,894	$ 23,221	$ 19,358	$ 8,920	$ 6,296	$ (2,170)	$ 2,559	$ 7,834	$ 75,393	$ 14,519	$ 3,029
Basic weighted-average common shares/units	134,923	134,781	134,715	124,906	110,788	110,714	110,589	110,400	132,331	110,623	100,706
Diluted weighted-average common shares/units	134,930	134,782	134,715	124,906	110,788	110,719	110,600	110,408	132,333	110,629	100,708
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P.
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	23,894	23,221	19,358	8,920	6,251	(2,152)	2,586	7,851	75,393	14,536	3,104
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations									(177)	(178)	(99)
Participating securities' share in earnings									(886)	(1,090)	(1,254)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings									74,330	13,268	1,751
Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT Operating Partnership partners									14,684	12,195	19,983
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings									$ 89,014	$ 25,463	$ 21,734
Basic weighted-average common shares/units	134,923	134,781	134,715	124,906	110,788	110,714	110,589	110,400	132,331	110,623	100,706
Dilutive stock options									2	6	2
Diluted weighted-average common shares/units	134,930	134,782	134,715	124,906	110,788	110,719	110,600	110,408	132,333	110,629	100,708