Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 12

-Section 13

-Sentence Column B

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- Definition

Interest rate of interest rate derivative instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Maturity date of interest rate swap

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Maximum percentage of unencumbered assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Percentage of dividends payable on basis of adjusted operating funds.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Percentage of dividends payable on senior unsecured notes.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Portion of debt instrument face amount.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Details

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- Definition

Fair value before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 55

-Paragraph 7

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28370219&loc=SL20226000-175313

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20225523&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (a),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) from the ineffectiveness of the hedge.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (d)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

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- Definition

Variable interest rate in effect as of the balance sheet date related to the interest rate derivative.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The fair value, as of the date of each statement of financial position presented, of other assets which are owned but transferred to serve as collateral for the payment of the related debt obligation, and that are reclassified and separately reported in the statement of financial position because the transferee has the right by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge them.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 860

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6467456&loc=d3e113888-111728

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Balance Type:	debit
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Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014 Interest Rate Contract [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Interest Rate Contract [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Interest Rate Contract One [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Interest Rate Contract Two [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 2006 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Portion of debt instrument face amount								$ 65
Fair value of the interest rate swaps				8.3	9.0
Interest rate of interest rate derivative instrument						5.507%
Maturity date of interest rate swap						July 2016	October 2016
Interest rate swap, amount fixed							60
Interest rate of derivative instrument							5.675%
Hedge ineffectiveness and income statement effect in period	0	0
Other assets, collateral	$ 4.5		$ 5.0
Percentage of dividends which could be paid from adjusted operating funds	95.00%
Percentage of dividends which could be paid from operation funds	95.00%
Maximum percentage of total unencumbered assets	150.00%