Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000	10,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000	250,000
Common stock, shares issued	170,213	161,310
Common stock, shares outstanding	170,213	161,310
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member]
General partner, units issued	1,697	1,608
General partner, units outstanding	1,697	1,608
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | LTIP Units [Member]
LTIP Units, shares issued	363	292
LTIP Units, shares outstanding	363	292
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Limited Partners, units issued	168,516	159,702
Limited Partners, units outstanding	168,516	159,702