Common Stock/Partners' Capital - Additional Information (Detail) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 14, 2015 USD ($) shares	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) Partner Director Employee shares	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2015 shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued | shares			240,341		236,744
Proceeds from sale of common shares / units, net of offering costs			$ 44,306	$ 479,902
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of common shares / units, net of offering costs			$ 44,306	$ 479,902
Ownership interest in equity			99.83%
Number of other partners | Partner			3
Number of units sold | shares			3,000	34,500
Employee [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of partners shared remaining ownership percentage | Employee			2
Director [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of partners shared remaining ownership percentage | Director			1
Market Equity Offering Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sales commission percentage	1.25%
Common stock, shares issued | shares			3,000
Proceeds from sale of common shares / units, net of offering costs			$ 45,000
Sales commissions, amount			$ 600
Market Equity Offering Program [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Value of stock	$ 227,000
Public Offering [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued | shares		34,500
Proceeds from sale of common shares / units, net of offering costs		$ 480,000
Additional shares purchased by underwriters | shares		4,500