Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Operating activities
Net income	$ 139,927	$ 50,796	$ 97,215
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	71,827	55,162	38,818
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and debt discount	6,085	5,105	3,559
Direct financing lease interest accretion	(8,032)	(6,701)	(5,774)
Straight-line rent revenue	(26,187)	(16,325)	(11,265)
Share / (Unit)-based compensation expense	11,122	9,165	8,833
Gain from sale of real estate	(3,268)	(2,857)	(7,659)
Impairment charges		50,128
Straight-line rent write-off	2,812	2,818	1,457
Other adjustments	(1,967)	520	(70)
Decrease (increase) in:
Interest and rent receivable	(5,599)	(3,856)	(13,211)
Other assets	(8,297)	764	1,855
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	26,540	6,209	23,867
Deferred revenue	2,033	(485)	3,177
Net cash provided by operating activities	206,996	150,443	140,802
Investing activities
Cash paid for acquisitions and other related investments	(2,218,869)	(767,696)	(654,922)
Net proceeds from sale of real estate	19,175	34,649	32,409
Principal received on loans receivable	771,785	11,265	7,249
Investment in loans receivable	(354,001)	(12,782)	(3,746)
Construction in progress	(146,372)	(102,333)	(41,452)
Other investments, net	(17,339)	(13,126)	(52,115)
Net cash used for investing activities	(1,945,621)	(850,023)	(712,577)
Financing activities
Additions to term debt	681,000	425,000	424,580
Payments of term debt	(283)	(100,266)	(11,249)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(7,686)	(14,496)	(9,760)
Revolving credit facilities, net	509,415	490,625	(20,000)
Distributions paid	(182,980)	(144,365)	(120,309)
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	(10,839)	7,892	3,231
Proceeds from sale of common shares / units, net of offering costs	817,389	138,173	313,330
Other financing activities	(5,326)
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,800,690	802,563	579,823
Increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year	62,065	102,983	8,048
Effect of exchange rate changes	(11,065)	(4,421)	620
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	144,541	45,979	37,311
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	195,541	144,541	45,979
Interest paid, including capitalized interest of $1,425 in 2015, $1,860 in 2014, and $1,729 in 2013	107,228	91,890	58,110
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Mortgage loan issued from sale of real estate		12,500
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
Dividends declared, not paid	52,402	38,461	35,778
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Operating activities
Net income	139,927	50,796	97,215
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	71,827	55,162	38,818
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs and debt discount	6,085	5,105	3,559
Direct financing lease interest accretion	(8,032)	(6,701)	(5,774)
Straight-line rent revenue	(26,187)	(16,325)	(11,265)
Share / (Unit)-based compensation expense	11,122	9,165	8,833
Gain from sale of real estate	(3,268)	(2,857)	(7,659)
Impairment charges		50,128
Straight-line rent write-off	2,812	2,818	1,457
Other adjustments	(1,967)	520	(70)
Decrease (increase) in:
Interest and rent receivable	(5,599)	(3,856)	(13,211)
Other assets	(8,297)	764	1,855
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	26,540	6,209	23,867
Deferred revenue	2,033	(485)	3,177
Net cash provided by operating activities	206,996	150,443	140,802
Investing activities
Cash paid for acquisitions and other related investments	(2,218,869)	(767,696)	(654,922)
Net proceeds from sale of real estate	19,175	34,649	32,409
Principal received on loans receivable	771,785	11,265	7,249
Investment in loans receivable	(354,001)	(12,782)	(3,746)
Construction in progress	(146,372)	(102,333)	(41,452)
Other investments, net	(17,339)	(13,126)	(52,115)
Net cash used for investing activities	(1,945,621)	(850,023)	(712,577)
Financing activities
Additions to term debt	681,100	425,000	424,580
Payments of term debt	(283)	(100,266)	(11,249)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(7,686)	(14,496)	(9,760)
Revolving credit facilities, net	509,415	490,625	(20,000)
Distributions paid	(182,980)	(144,365)	(120,309)
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	(10,839)	7,892	3,231
Proceeds from sale of common shares / units, net of offering costs	817,389	138,173	313,330
Other financing activities	(5,326)
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,800,690	802,563	579,823
Increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year	62,065	102,983	8,048
Effect of exchange rate changes	(11,065)	(4,421)	620
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	144,541	45,979	37,311
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	195,541	144,541	45,979
Interest paid, including capitalized interest of $1,425 in 2015, $1,860 in 2014, and $1,729 in 2013	107,228	91,890	58,110
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Mortgage loan issued from sale of real estate		12,500
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
Dividends declared, not paid	$ 52,402	$ 38,461	$ 35,778