Real Estate and Lending Activities - Components of Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Minimum lease payments receivable	$ 1,639,128	$ 1,607,024
Estimated residual values	225,871mpw_EstimatedResidualValues	211,888mpw_EstimatedResidualValues
Less: Unearned income	(1,411,576)us-gaap_DeferredRevenueLeasesNet	(1,379,396)us-gaap_DeferredRevenueLeasesNet
Net investment in direct financing leases	$ 453,423	$ 439,516

Estimated Residual Values

No definition available.

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- Details

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- Definition

Amount of minimum lease payments to be received by the lessor for capital leases.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496975&loc=d3e45377-112738

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents revenue received, but not recognized for financial reporting purposes. Such deferred revenue may consist of and include amounts paid in advance by lessees and is net of the accumulated amortization of such amounts that to date have been recognized in revenue.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredRevenueLeasesNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net amount due as of the balance sheet date consisting of: (a) minimum lease payments due on direct financing and sales-type leases, (b) unguaranteed residual value, and (c) any unamortized initial direct costs on direct financing leases; less: (i) executory costs, (ii) unearned income, and (iii) the accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496975&loc=d3e45377-112738

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant