Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 50,796	$ 97,215	$ 90,077
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	55,162	38,818	35,593
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and debt discount	5,105	3,559	3,457
Direct financing lease interest accretion	(6,701)	(5,774)	(3,104)
Straight-line rent revenue	(16,325)	(11,265)	(8,309)
Share (Unit)-based compensation expense	9,165	8,833	7,637
(Gain) loss from sale of real estate	(2,857)	(7,659)	(16,369)
Impairment charges	50,128
Straight-line rent write-off	2,818	1,457	6,456
Other adjustments	520	(70)	538
Decrease (increase) in:
Interest and rent receivable	(3,856)	(13,211)	(17,261)
Other assets	764	1,855	91
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	6,209	23,867	9,201
Deferred revenue	(485)	3,177	(2,698)
Net cash provided by operating activities	150,443	140,802	105,309
Investing activities
Cash paid for acquisitions and other related investments	(767,696)	(654,922)	(621,490)
Net proceeds from sale of real estate	34,649	32,409	71,202
Principal received on loans receivable	11,265	7,249	10,931
Investment in loans receivable	(12,782)	(3,746)	(1,293)
Construction in progress	(102,333)	(41,452)	(44,570)
Other investments, net	(13,126)	(52,115)	(31,908)
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities	(850,023)	(712,577)	(617,128)
Financing activities
Additions to term debt	425,000	424,580	300,000
Payments of term debt	(100,266)	(11,249)	(232)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(14,496)	(9,760)	(6,247)
Revolving credit facilities, net	490,625	(20,000)	35,400
Distributions paid	(144,365)	(120,309)	(103,952)
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	7,892	3,231	(11,436)
Proceeds from sale of common shares/units, net of offering costs	138,173	313,330	233,048
Other			(177)
Net cash provided by financing activities	802,563	579,823	446,404
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the year	102,983	8,048	(65,415)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(4,421)	620
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	45,979	37,311	102,726
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	144,541	45,979	37,311
Interest paid, including capitalized interest of $1,860 in 2014, $1,729 in 2013, and $1,596 in 2012	91,890	58,110	51,440
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Loan conversion to equity interest			1,648
Mortgage loan issued from sale of real estate	12,500		3,650
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
Dividends declared, not paid	38,461	35,778	27,786
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Operating activities
Net income (loss)	50,796	97,215	90,077
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	55,162	38,818	35,593
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and debt discount	5,105	3,559	3,457
Direct financing lease interest accretion	(6,701)	(5,774)	(3,104)
Straight-line rent revenue	(16,325)	(11,265)	(8,309)
Share (Unit)-based compensation expense	9,165	8,833	7,637
(Gain) loss from sale of real estate	(2,857)	(7,659)	(16,369)
Impairment charges	50,128
Straight-line rent write-off	2,818	1,457	6,456
Other adjustments	520	(70)	538
Decrease (increase) in:
Interest and rent receivable	(3,856)	(13,211)	(17,261)
Other assets	764	1,855	91
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	6,209	23,867	9,201
Deferred revenue	(485)	3,177	(2,698)
Net cash provided by operating activities	150,443	140,802	105,309
Investing activities
Cash paid for acquisitions and other related investments	(767,696)	(654,922)	(621,490)
Net proceeds from sale of real estate	34,649	32,409	71,202
Principal received on loans receivable	11,265	7,249	10,931
Investment in loans receivable	(12,782)	(3,746)	(1,293)
Construction in progress	(102,333)	(41,452)	(44,570)
Other investments, net	(13,126)	(52,115)	(31,908)
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities	(850,023)	(712,577)	(617,128)
Financing activities
Additions to term debt	425,000	424,580	300,000
Payments of term debt	(100,266)	(11,249)	(232)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(14,496)	(9,760)	(6,247)
Revolving credit facilities, net	490,625	(20,000)	35,400
Distributions paid	(144,365)	(120,309)	(103,952)
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	7,892	3,231	(11,436)
Proceeds from sale of common shares/units, net of offering costs	138,173	313,330	233,048
Other			(177)
Net cash provided by financing activities	802,563	579,823	446,404
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the year	102,983	8,048	(65,415)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(4,421)	620
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	45,979	37,311	102,726
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	144,541	45,979	37,311
Interest paid, including capitalized interest of $1,860 in 2014, $1,729 in 2013, and $1,596 in 2012	91,890	58,110	51,440
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Loan conversion to equity interest			1,648
Mortgage loan issued from sale of real estate	12,500		3,650
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
Dividends declared, not paid	$ 38,461	$ 35,778	$ 27,786