Earnings Per Share/Common Unit - Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 70,543	$ 23,123	$ 182,693	$ 81,589
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations	(185)	(66)	(683)	(228)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(154)	(265)	(430)	(781)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	70,204	22,792	181,580	80,580
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT Operating Partnership partners			(1)
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 70,204	$ 22,792	$ 181,579	$ 80,580
Basic weighted-average common shares	246,230	223,948	240,607	211,659
Dilutive potential common shares	1,238		825	409
Dilutive weighted-average common shares	247,468	223,948	241,432	212,068
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 70,543	$ 23,123	$ 182,693	$ 81,589
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations	(185)	(66)	(683)	(228)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(154)	(265)	(430)	(781)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	70,204	22,792	181,580	80,580
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT Operating Partnership partners			(1)
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 70,204	$ 22,792	$ 181,579	$ 80,580
Basic weighted-average common shares	246,230	223,948	240,607	211,659
Dilutive potential common shares	1,238		825	409
Dilutive weighted-average common shares	247,468	223,948	241,432	212,068