Earnings Per Share/Common Unit - Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 23,123	$ 28,663	$ 81,589	$ 35,769
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations	(66)	(126)	(228)	(192)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(265)	(179)	(781)	(584)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	22,792	28,358	80,580	34,993
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders				(2)
Net income (loss), less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 22,792	$ 28,358	$ 80,580	$ 34,991
Basic weighted-average common shares	223,948	171,893	211,659	169,195
Dilutive potential common shares		746	409	657
Dilutive weighted-average common shares	223,948	172,639	212,068	169,852
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 23,123	$ 28,663	$ 81,589	$ 35,769
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations	(66)	(126)	(228)	(192)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(265)	(179)	(781)	(584)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	22,792	28,358	80,580	34,993
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders				(2)
Net income (loss), less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 22,792	$ 28,358	$ 80,580	$ 34,991
Basic weighted-average common shares	223,948	171,893	211,659	169,195
Dilutive potential common shares		746	409	657
Dilutive weighted-average common shares	223,948	172,639	212,068	169,852