Earnings Per Share/Unit - Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 58,339	$ 23,123	$ 22,489	$ 35,976	$ 15,029	$ 28,663	$ (203)	$ 7,309	$ 139,927	$ 50,798	$ 89,301
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations									(329)	(274)	(224)
Participating securities' share in earnings									(1,029)	(894)	(729)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings									138,569	49,630	88,348
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders										(2)	7,914
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings									$ 138,569	$ 49,628	$ 96,262
Basic weighted-average common shares	237,011	223,948	208,071	202,958	172,411	171,893	171,718	163,973	217,997	169,999	151,439
Dilutive potential common shares									307	541	1,159
Diluted weighted-average common shares	237,011	223,948	208,640	203,615	172,604	172,639	171,718	164,549	218,304	170,540	152,598
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 58,339	$ 23,123	$ 22,489	$ 35,976	$ 15,029	$ 28,663	$ (203)	$ 7,309	$ 139,927	$ 50,798	$ 89,301
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations									(329)	(274)	(224)
Participating securities' share in earnings									(1,029)	(894)	(729)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings									138,569	49,630	88,348
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT common stockholders										(2)	7,914
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings									$ 138,569	$ 49,628	$ 96,262
Basic weighted-average common shares	237,011	223,948	208,071	202,958	172,411	171,893	171,718	163,973	217,997	169,999	151,439
Dilutive potential common shares									307	541	1,159
Diluted weighted-average common shares	237,011	223,948	208,640	203,615	172,604	172,639	171,718	164,549	218,304	170,540	152,598