Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 58,226	$ 35,976
Non-controlling interests' share in net income	(298)	(79)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(144)	(266)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	57,784	35,631
Loss from discontinued operations	(1)
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 57,783	$ 35,631
Basic weighted-average common shares	237,510	202,958
Dilutive potential common shares	309	657
Dilutive weighted-average common shares	237,819	203,615
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 58,226	$ 35,976
Non-controlling interests' share in net income	(298)	(79)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(144)	(266)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	57,784	35,631
Loss from discontinued operations	(1)
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 57,783	$ 35,631
Basic weighted-average common shares	237,510	202,958
Dilutive potential common shares	309	657
Dilutive weighted-average common shares	237,819	203,615