Earnings Per Share/Common Unit - Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 53,924	$ 22,489	$ 112,150	$ 58,465
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations	(200)	(82)	(498)	(161)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(132)	(250)	(276)	(516)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	53,592	22,157	111,376	57,788
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT Operating Partnership partners			(1)
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 53,592	$ 22,157	$ 111,375	$ 57,788
Basic weighted-average common shares	238,082	208,071	237,796	205,515
Dilutive potential common shares	926	569	617	612
Dilutive weighted-average common shares	239,008	208,640	238,413	206,127
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 53,924	$ 22,489	$ 112,150	$ 58,465
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations	(200)	(82)	(498)	(161)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(132)	(250)	(276)	(516)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	53,592	22,157	111,376	57,788
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT Operating Partnership partners			(1)
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 53,592	$ 22,157	$ 111,375	$ 57,788
Basic weighted-average common shares	238,082	208,071	237,796	205,515
Dilutive potential common shares	926	569	617	612
Dilutive weighted-average common shares	239,008	208,640	238,413	206,127