Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, 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
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 57,407	$ 53,315	$ 49,408	$ 41,267	$ 34,417	$ 34,282	$ 34,776	$ 32,009	$ 201,397	$ 135,484	$ 108,024
Income (loss) 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
Income from discontinued operations	4,709	8,287	2	1,686	6,444	2,638	123	2,990	14,684	12,195	19,983
Net income	28,603	31,508	19,360	10,606	12,740	468	2,682	10,824	90,077	26,714	23,012
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders	28,556	31,464	19,316	10,564	12,692	424	2,640	10,780	89,900	26,536	22,913
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - basic	$ 0.21	$ 0.23	$ 0.14	$ 0.08	$ 0.11		$ 0.02	$ 0.09	$ 0.67	$ 0.23	$ 0.22
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	134,923	134,781	134,715	124,906	110,788	110,714	110,589	110,400	132,331	110,623	100,706
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - diluted	$ 0.21	$ 0.23	$ 0.14	$ 0.08	$ 0.11		$ 0.02	$ 0.09	$ 0.67	$ 0.23	$ 0.22
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	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.
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Revenues	57,407	53,315	49,408	41,267	34,417	34,282	34,776	32,009	201,397	135,484	108,024
Income (loss) 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
Income from discontinued operations	4,709	8,287	2	1,686	6,444	2,638	123	2,990	14,684	12,195	19,983
Net income	28,603	31,508	19,360	10,606	12,695	486	2,709	10,841	90,077	26,731	23,087
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders	$ 28,556	$ 31,464	$ 19,316	$ 10,564	$ 12,647	$ 443	$ 2,667	$ 10,796	$ 89,900	$ 26,553	$ 22,988
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - basic	$ 0.21	$ 0.23	$ 0.14	$ 0.08	$ 0.11		$ 0.02	$ 0.09	$ 0.67	$ 0.23	$ 0.22
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	134,923	134,781	134,715	124,906	110,788	110,714	110,589	110,400	132,331	110,623	100,706
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - diluted	$ 0.21	$ 0.23	$ 0.14	$ 0.08	$ 0.11		$ 0.02	$ 0.09	$ 0.67	$ 0.23	$ 0.22
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	134,930	134,782	134,715	124,906	110,788	110,719	110,600	110,408	132,333	110,629	100,708