Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, 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
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 67,679	$ 60,106	$ 57,124	$ 57,614	$ 56,597	$ 52,504	$ 48,569	$ 40,455	$ 242,523	$ 198,125	$ 132,322
Income (loss) 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
Income from discontinued operations	4,588	312	2,374	640	5,339	8,914	642	2,312	7,914	17,207	14,594
Net income	17,897	25,703	27,405	26,210	28,603	31,508	19,360	10,606	97,215	90,077	26,714
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders	17,839	25,648	27,348	26,156	28,556	31,464	19,316	10,564	96,991	89,900	26,536
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - basic	$ 0.11	$ 0.16	$ 0.18	$ 0.19	$ 0.21	$ 0.23	$ 0.14	$ 0.08	$ 0.64	$ 0.67	$ 0.23
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	161,143	154,758	149,509	140,347	134,923	134,781	134,715	124,906	151,439	132,331	110,623
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - diluted	$ 0.11	$ 0.16	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.21	$ 0.23	$ 0.14	$ 0.08	$ 0.63	$ 0.67	$ 0.23
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	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]
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Revenues	67,679	60,106	57,124	57,614	56,597	52,504	48,569	40,455	242,523	198,125	132,322
Income (loss) 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
Income from discontinued operations	4,588	312	2,374	640	5,339	8,914	642	2,312	7,914	17,207	14,594
Net income	17,897	25,703	27,405	26,210	28,603	31,508	19,360	10,606	97,215	90,077	26,731
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders	$ 17,839	$ 25,648	$ 27,348	$ 26,156	$ 28,556	$ 31,464	$ 19,316	$ 10,564	$ 96,991	$ 89,900	$ 26,553
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - basic	$ 0.11	$ 0.16	$ 0.18	$ 0.19	$ 0.21	$ 0.23	$ 0.14	$ 0.08	$ 0.64	$ 0.67	$ 0.23
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	161,143	154,758	149,509	140,347	134,923	134,781	134,715	124,906	151,439	132,331	110,623
Net income attributable to MPT common stockholders per share - diluted	$ 0.11	$ 0.16	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.21	$ 0.23	$ 0.14	$ 0.08	$ 0.63	$ 0.67	$ 0.23
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	161,840	155,969	151,056	141,526	134,930	134,782	134,715	124,906	152,598	132,333	110,629