Accounts Notes Loans And Financing Receivable By Receivable Type [Axis] Receivable Type [Axis] Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Current And Noncurrent Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accrued Rent Current And Noncurrent Agreed to settle unpaid rent Accumulated amortization of intangible lease assets. Accumulated Amortization Of Intangible Lease Assets Accumulated amortization of intangible lease assets Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation And Amortization Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets Weighted Average Useful Life Capitalized lease intangibles, weighted average life (in years) Weighted average useful life of acquired intangible lease assets (in years) Acquired real estate purchase price allocation. Acquired Real Estate Purchase Price Allocation Policy [Text Block] Acquired Real Estate Purchase Price Allocation Acquisition Costs Acquisition expenses Acquisition Loan Acquisition Loan [Member] Acquisition Loan Acquisition-related costs on consummated deals Acquisition Related Costs On Consummated Deals Acquisition-related costs on consummated deals Acute Care Facilities [Member] Acute Care Facilities [Member] Acute Care Facilities in Altoona Acute Care Facility Acute Care Facility [Member] Acute Care Facility Acute Care Hospitals [Member] Acute Care Hospitals [Member] Acute Care Hospitals Acute Care Medical Center [Member] Acute Care Medical Center [Member] Acute Care Medical Center Addison, Texas [Member] Addison Texas [Member] Addison, TX Additional Paid In Capital Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Rent Received From Lease Agreement Additional Rent Received From Lease Agreement Additional rent received from lease agreement Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value Stock vesting and amortization of stock-based compensation Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Stock Issued Issuance Costs Proceeds from offering (net of offering costs) 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: Advanced amount of working capital loan agreement. Advanced Amount Of Working Capital Loan Agreement Advanced amount of working capital loan agreement Advance Rent Lease advance Agreement Entry Date Agreement Entry Date Agreement entry date Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Stock based compensation expense Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses Write Offs Allowance for loan and lease losses Impairment of working capital loan recognized Alvarado Hospital Alvarado Hospital [Member] Alvarado Hospital Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortization Of Financing Costs And Discounts Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and debt discount Amount Invested To Fund Clinical Development Amount Invested To Fund Clinical Development Estimated total development cost, funded Amount Of Principal Amount Plus Accrued Interest And Unpaid Interest Amount Of Principal Amount Plus Accrued Interest And Unpaid Interest Price of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, in amount Anaheim, California [Member] Anaheim California [Member] Anaheim, CA Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Options excluded from earnings per share/unit Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share By Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Asset Impairment Charges Impairment charge Assets Total Assets Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Atrium Medical Center Atrium Medical Center [Member] Atrium Medical Center Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Bayonne Medical Center Bayonne Medical Center [Member] Bayonne Medical Center Bayonne, New Jersey [Member] Bayonne New Jersey [Member] Bayonne, NJ Bedford [Member] Bedford [Member] New Bedford Before Amendment [Member] Before Amendment [Member] Before Amendment Bennettsville, South Carolina [Member] Bennettsville South Carolina [Member] Bennettsville, SC Bensalem, Pennsylvania [Member] Bensalem Pennsylvania [Member] Bensalem, PA Bloomington, Indiana [Member] Bloomington Indiana [Member] Bloomington, IN Bossier City, Los Angeles [Member] Bossier City Los Angeles [Member] Bossier City, LA Bristol, Connecticut [Member] Bristol Connecticut [Member] Bristol, CT Bucks County Facility [Member] Bucks County Facility [Member] Bucks County Facility Building And Building Improvements [Member] Building and Building Improvements Building [Member] Buildings Buildings And Improvements Gross Buildings and improvements Business Acquisition Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Age of Real Estate Acquired Business Acquisition Age Of Real Estate Acquired Age of real estate acquired Business Acquisition amortization period Business Acquisition Amortization Period Amortization period Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Liabilities Incurred Liabilities acquired Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Purchase Price Business acquisition cost of acquired entity Business Acquisition Date Of Acquisition Agreement 1 Business acquisition agreement Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition Number of Entities Acquired. Business Acquisition Number Of Entities Acquired Number of beds acquired Business Acquisition, Percentage of Interests Acquired Business Acquisition Percentage Of Interests Acquired Option to acquire percentage of hospital operator Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Text Block] Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Assets Acquired Liabilities Assumed Net Net assets acquired Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Liabilities Assumed Total liabilities assumed Business Acquisitions [Member] Business Acquisitions [Member] Business Acquisitions Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Net Income Loss Income contributed by the acquired entity Net income Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Revenue Total revenues Business Combination Acquisition Related Costs Acquisition related costs Business Development Four [Member] Business Development Four [Member] Twelve Oaks Facility Business Development One [Member] Business Development One [Member] Facility which Received a Certificate of Occupancy Business Development Three [Member] Business Development Three [Member] Remaining Development Facility Two Business Development Two [Member] Business Development Two [Member] Remaining Development Facility One Business Dispositions, Number of Entities Sold Business Dispositions Number Of Entities Sold Number of bed sold Capital gains per share Capital Gains Per Share Capital gains Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Receivable Minimum lease payments receivable Capital Leases Income Statement Direct Financing Lease Revenue Income from direct financing leases 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 Period Increase Decrease Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for period Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the year Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Centinela Medical Building Complex [Member] Centinela Medical Building Complex [Member] Centinela Hospital Medical Center Charge to unpaid rent. Charge To Unpaid Rent Charge to unpaid rent Cheraw, South Carolina [Member] Cheraw South Carolina [Member] Cheraw, SC Chino Valley Medical Center [Member] Chino Valley Medical Center [Member] Chino Valley Medical Center Classification Of Variable Interest Entity [Domain] Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Class Of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Class Of Stock [Line Items] Class of Stock [Line Items] Collateralized Revolving Bank Credit Facility [Member] Collateralized Revolving Bank Credit Facility [Member] Collateralized Revolving Bank Credit Facility Combined purchase price and investment amount Combined Purchase Price And Investment Amount Combined purchase price and investment amount Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common share distribution paid per share. Common Share Distribution Paid Per Share Common share distribution Common Stock and Partners Capital Disclosure. Common Stock And Partners Capital Disclosure [Text Block] Common Stock/Partner's Capital Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared Dividends declared per common share/unit Common Stock [Member] Common Par Value Common Units Common Stock Option, Shares Common Stock Option Shares Number of stock options settled for cash Common Stock Other Value Outstanding Number of shares can be sold out Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, Shares authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock Value Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 250,000 shares; issued and outstanding - 136,335 shares at December 31, 2012 and 110,786 shares at December 31, 2011 Compensation Related Costs Policy [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Component Of Other Operating Cost And Expense General [Axis] Component of Other Operating Cost and Expense [Axis] Component Of Other Operating Cost And Expense Name [Domain] Component of Other Operating Cost and Expense, Name [Domain] Components Of Investment In Leases Of Equipment Table. Components Of Investment In Leases Of Equipment Table [Text Block] Components of Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items] Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Comprehensive Income Loss [Table] Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders (Operating Partnership partners) Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income Total comprehensive income Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income Table. Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income Table [Text Block] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Consolidated Entities [Member] Total Consolidated Consolidation Policy [Text Block] Principles of Consolidation Construction And Development Costs Estimated total development cost, funded Construction Completion Month and Year Construction Completion Month And Year Construction completion date Construction Completion Year Construction Completion Year Date of construction Construction in progress, equipment, and other Construction In Progress Equipment And Other Construction in progress and other Construction In Progress Gross Construction in progress and other Convertible Debt Convertible note Convertible Note Purchased Convertible Note Purchased Purchase of convertible note Core performance awards [member] Core Performance Awards [Member] Core Performance Awards Corinth, Texas [Member] Corinth Texas [Member] Corinth, TX Cost of land and building Cost Of Land And Building Cost of land and building Costs And Expenses Total operating expenses Total operating expense Costs And Expenses [Abstract] Expenses Coupon Payable In Cash In, Thereafter Coupon Payable In Cash In Thereafter Coupon payable in cash in, thereafter Coupon Payable In Cash In The, Year One Coupon Payable In Cash In Year One Coupon payable in cash, year one Coupon Payable In Cash In The, Year Two Coupon Payable In Cash In Year Two Coupon payable in cash, year two Covington, Los Angeles [Member] Covington Los Angeles [Member] Covington, LA Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Dallas, Texas [Member] Dallas Texas [Member] Dallas, TX Debt Conversion Converted Instrument Amount 1 Amount of convertible note converted into equity interest Debt instrument amount net Debt Instrument Amount Net Debt instrument, net Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument Basis Spread On Variable Rate Credit facilities, basis spread of interest rate Debt Instrument Carrying Amount Total Debt Instrument Convertible Conversion Price 1 Exchange price of notes per common share Debt Instrument Convertible Debt Equity Component Debt Instrument Convertible Debt Equity Component Loan conversion to equity interest Debt Instrument Date Of First Required Payment 1 Debt instrument earliest prepayment date Debt Instrument Description Of Variable Rate Basis Prime Debt Instrument Description Of Variable Rate Basis Prime Interest rate Debt Instrument, Earliest Date of Redemption Debt Instrument Earliest Date Of Redemption Senior notes, earliest redemption date Debt Instrument Face Amount Debt instrument face amount Principal amount Debt Instrument Frequency Of Periodic Payment Senior notes frequency of periodic payment Debt instrument, initial spread interest rate. Debt Instrument Initial Spread Interest Rate Initial spread interest rate Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Interest rate Unsecured senior notes, interest rate Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Rate Range Maximum Fixed rate, maximum Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Rate Range Minimum Fixed rate, minimum Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument Maturity Date Debt instrument maturity date Debt Instrument Maturity Date Year Debt Instrument Maturity Date Year Senior notes, maturity year Debt Instrument Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument Periodic Payment Interest Credit facilities, periodic payments of interest Debt Instrument, Potential Term Extension Period Debt Instrument Potential Term Extension Period Term loan facility, potential term extension period Debt Instrument Repurchase Price Percentage On Principal Amount Plus Accrued And Unpaid Interest Debt Instrument Repurchase Price Percentage On Principal Amount Plus Accrued And Unpaid Interest Senior notes, repurchase price percentage on principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest Debt Instrument [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Unamortized discount Debt refinancing costs Debt Refinancing Costs Debt refinancing costs Deferred Charges Policy [Text Block] Deferred Costs Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue Deferred Tax Assets Gross Net deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards Domestic U.S federal NOLs Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards State And Local U.S. state NOLs Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves And Accruals, Deferred Interest. Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Deferred Interest Interest reserves Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Deferred Rent Rent reserves Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Reserves Full reserve for net deferred tax asset Denham Springs Facility Denham Springs Facility [Member] Denham Springs LTACH Denham Springs, Los Angeles [Member] Denham Springs Los Angeles [Member] Denham Springs, LA Depreciation And Amortization Real estate depreciation and amortization Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Depreciation and amortization Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability Fair value of the interest rate swaps Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Hedge ineffectiveness and income statement effect in period Derivatives Policy [Text Block] Derivative Financial Investments and Hedging Activities Derivative Variable Interest Rate Interest rate of interest rate derivative instrument Desert Valley Hospital [Member] Desert Valley Hospital [Member] Desert Valley Hospital Desert Valley Hospital Two [Member] Desert Valley Hospital Two [Member] Desert Valley Hospital DeSoto, Texas [Member] Desoto Texas [Member] DeSoto, TX Detroit, Michigan [Member] Detroit Michigan [Member] Detroit, MI Direct Costs Of Leased And Rented Property Or Equipment Property-related Direct Financing Leases [Member] Direct Financing Leases [Member] Direct Financing Leases Director [Member] Director Disclosure - Amortization Expense from Existing Lease Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure Amortization Expense From Existing Lease Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Amortization Expense from Existing Lease Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Assets Acquired [Abstract] Disclosure Assets Acquired [Abstract] Disclosure - Assets Acquired [Abstract] Disclosure - Calculation of Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Disclosure Calculation Of Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Disclosure - Calculation of Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Disclosure - Calculation of Earnings Per Unit [Abstract] Disclosure Calculation Of Earnings Per Unit [Abstract] Disclosure - Calculation of Earnings Per Unit [Abstract] Disclosure - Carrying Value and Classification of Related Assets and Maximum Exposure to Loss as Result of Involvement with Variable Interest Entities [Abstract] Disclosure Carrying Value And Classification Of Related Assets And Maximum Exposure To Loss As Result Of Involvement With Variable Interest Entities [Abstract] Disclosure - Carrying Value and Classification of Related Assets and Maximum Exposure to Loss as Result of Involvement with Variable Interest Entities [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in Accumulated Depreciation Including Real Estate Assets Held for Sale [Abstract] Disclosure Changes In Accumulated Depreciation Including Real Estate Assets Held For Sale [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in Accumulated Depreciation Including Real Estate Assets Held for Sale [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in Mortgage Loans [Abstract] Disclosure Changes In Mortgage Loans [Abstract] Disclosure - Changes in Mortgage Loans [Abstract]