Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (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
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	$ 25,703	$ 31,508	$ 79,317	$ 61,474
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap	182	(443)	2,788	(989)
Total comprehensive income	25,885	31,065	82,105	60,485
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	(55)	(44)	(165)	(130)
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders	25,830	31,021	81,940	60,355
Parent
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	25,703	31,508	79,317	61,474
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap	182	(443)	2,788	(989)
Total comprehensive income	25,885	31,065	82,105	60,485
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	(55)	(44)	(165)	(130)
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders	25,830	31,021	81,940	60,355
Subsidiary Issuers
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	25,703	31,508	79,317	61,474
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap	182	(443)	2,788	(989)
Total comprehensive income	25,885	31,065	82,105	60,485
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	(55)	(44)	(165)	(130)
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders	25,830	31,021	81,940	60,355
Subsidiary Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	45,047	39,157	130,273	102,810
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Total comprehensive income	45,047	39,157	130,273	102,810
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders	45,047	39,157	130,273	102,810
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	4,044	10,292	11,824	16,297
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Total comprehensive income	4,044	10,292	11,824	16,297
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders	4,044	10,292	11,824	16,297
Eliminations
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	(74,794)	(80,957)	(221,414)	(180,581)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap	(182)	443	(2,788)	989
Total comprehensive income	(74,976)	(80,514)	(224,202)	(179,592)
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	55	44	165	130
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders	$ (74,921)	$ (80,470)	$ (224,037)	$ (179,462)