Earnings Per Share/Unit - Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 15,029	$ 28,663	$ (203)	$ 7,309	$ 13,309	$ 25,391	$ 25,031	$ 25,570	$ 50,798	$ 89,301	$ 72,870
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations									(274)	(224)	(177)
Participating securities' share in earnings									(894)	(729)	(887)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings									49,630	88,348	71,806
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders									(2)	7,914	17,207
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings									49,628	96,262	89,013
Basic weighted-average common shares	172,411	171,893	171,718	163,973	161,143	154,758	149,509	140,347	169,999	151,439	132,331
Dilutive potential common shares									541	1,159	2
Diluted weighted-average common shares	172,604	172,639	171,718	164,549	161,840	155,969	151,056	141,526	170,540	152,598	132,333
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	15,029	28,663	(203)	7,309	13,309	25,391	25,031	25,570	50,798	89,301	72,870
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations									(274)	(224)	(177)
Participating securities' share in earnings									(894)	(729)	(887)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings									49,630	88,348	71,806
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders									(2)	7,914	17,207
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings									$ 49,628	$ 96,262	$ 89,013
Basic weighted-average common shares	172,411	171,893	171,718	163,973	161,143	154,758	149,509	140,347	169,999	151,439	132,331
Dilutive potential common shares									541	1,159	2
Diluted weighted-average common shares	172,604	172,639	171,718	164,549	161,840	155,969	151,056	141,526	170,540	152,598	132,333