Earnings Per Share/Unit - Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 13,309	$ 25,391	$ 25,031	$ 25,570	$ 23,264	$ 22,594	$ 18,718	$ 8,294	$ 89,301	$ 72,870	$ 12,120
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations									(224)	(177)	(178)
Participating securities' share in earnings									(729)	(887)	(1,090)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings									88,348	71,806	10,852
Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders									7,914	17,207	14,594
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings									96,262	89,013	25,446
Basic weighted-average common shares	161,143	154,758	149,509	140,347	134,923	134,781	134,715	124,906	151,439	132,331	110,623
Dilutive potential common shares									1,159	2	6
Diluted weighted-average common shares	161,840	155,969	151,056	141,526	134,930	134,782	134,715	124,906	152,598	132,333	110,629
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	13,309	25,391	25,031	25,570	23,264	22,594	18,718	8,294	89,301	72,870	12,137
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations									(244)	(177)	(178)
Participating securities' share in earnings									(729)	(887)	(1,090)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings									88,328	71,806	10,869
Income from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders									7,914	17,207	14,594
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings									$ 96,242	$ 89,013	$ 25,463
Basic weighted-average common shares	161,143	154,758	149,509	140,347	134,923	134,781	134,715	124,906	151,439	132,331	110,623
Dilutive potential common shares									1,159	2	6
Diluted weighted-average common shares	161,840	155,969	151,056	141,526	134,930	134,782	134,715	124,906	152,598	132,333	110,629