Earnings Per Share/Common Unit - Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 25,666	$ 22,865	$ 76,819	$ 50,424
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations	(55)	(44)	(165)	(130)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(166)	(225)	(538)	(715)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	25,445	22,596	76,116	49,579
Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders	37	8,643	2,498	11,050
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	25,482	31,239	78,614	60,629
Basic weighted-average common shares	154,758	134,781	148,204	131,467
Dilutive potential common shares	1,211	1	1,313
Dilutive weighted-average common shares	155,969	134,782	149,517	131,467
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P.
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	25,666	22,865	76,819	50,424
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations	(55)	(44)	(165)	(130)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(166)	(225)	(538)	(715)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	25,445	22,596	76,116	49,579
Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders	37	8,643	2,498	11,050
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 25,482	$ 31,239	$ 78,614	$ 60,629
Basic weighted-average common shares	154,758	134,781	148,204	131,467
Dilutive potential common shares	1,211	1	1,313
Dilutive weighted-average common shares	155,969	134,782	149,517	131,467