Acquisition-related costs on consummated deals

No definition available.

Name:	mpw_AcquisitionRelatedCostsOnConsummatedDeals
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate principal amount of loan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_AggregatePrincipalAmountOfLoan
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Business acquisition purchase price real estate transfer and other tax.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceRealEstateTransferAndOtherTax
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Business Combination Acquisition Related Transfer Taxes Expense On Consummated Deals

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedTransferTaxesExpenseOnConsummatedDeals
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Lease Agreement Increase In Retail Price Index Cap Rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_LeaseAgreementIncreaseInRetailPriceIndexCapRate
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Lease Agreement Increase In Retail Price Index Floor Rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_LeaseAgreementIncreaseInRetailPriceIndexFloorRate
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Lease extended period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_LeaseExtendedPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Lease extension period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_LeaseExtensionPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Lease period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_LeasePeriod
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of beds.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_NumberOfBeds
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of extension options in current lease contract.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_NumberOfExtensionOptionsInCurrentLeaseContract
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sale Leaseback Transaction Initial Term Period

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_SaleLeasebackTransactionInitialTermPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sale Leaseback Transaction Lease Extended Period

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_SaleLeasebackTransactionLeaseExtendedPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Working capital loan to acquired entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mpw_WorkingCapitalLoanToAcquiredEntity
Namespace Prefix:	mpw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The capitalized costs incurred during the period (excluded from amortization) to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire an unproved property, including costs of lease bonuses and options to purchase or lease properties, the portion of costs applicable to minerals when land including mineral rights is purchased in fee, brokers' fees, recording fees, legal costs, and other costs incurred in acquiring properties.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 932
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-10(c)(7)(ii))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=50486907&loc=d3e511914-122862

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 932
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-10(c)(3)(ii)(A))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=50486907&loc=d3e511914-122862

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AcquisitionCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1392-128463

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 23
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73531572&loc=d3e1043-128460

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of equity in the acquiree held by the acquirer immediately before the acquisition date in a business combination.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Term of the lessee's leasing arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesTermOfContract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reflects the amount of new advances made to related parties in the form of loan and lease receivables.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableRelatedPartiesAdditions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of businesses acquired by the entity during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from operating leases, including minimum lease revenue, contingent revenue, percentage revenue and sublease revenue.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 20
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7501430&loc=d3e39896-112707

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for acquisition of or capital improvements to properties held for investment (operating, managed, leased) or for use.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the investment in or advances to an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net book value of the asset(s) sold in connection with the sale of the property to another party and lease back to the seller.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 40
-Section 55
-Paragraph 52
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51843-112757

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 40
-Section 55
-Paragraph 50
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51831-112757

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 40
-Section 55
-Paragraph 51
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51840-112757

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionNetBookValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of the Variable Interest Entity's (VIE) voting interest owned by (or beneficial interest in) the reporting entity (directly or indirectly).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64801991&loc=SL6759159-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis=mpw_TwoThousandFourteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=mpw_CircleHealthMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis=mpw_AcuteCareHospitalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=mpw_MarkToMarketFairValueAdjustmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=mpw_AlectoHealthcareServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_EntityByLocationAxis=mpw_FairmontWestVirginiaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=mpw_MedianAndWaterlandMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=mpw_MedianMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=mpw_WaterlandMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=mpw_BusinessAcquisitionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_DE
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis=mpw_RhmRehabilitationFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=mpw_BadMergentheimMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=mpw_BadTolzMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=mpw_BadLiebensteinMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=mpw_ShermanTexasMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Real Estate and Loans Receivable - 2014 Activity - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands, € in Millions, £ in Millions							3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014 USD ($) Bed	Oct. 15, 2014 EUR (€)	Sep. 19, 2014 USD ($) RenewalOptions	Jul. 01, 2014 USD ($)	Jul. 01, 2014 GBP (£)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Bed Facility	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Bed	Dec. 31, 2014 EUR (€) Bed	Jul. 01, 2014 GBP (£)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition related costs								$ 46,273	$ 61,342	$ 26,389
Income contributed by the acquired entity								$ 310,019	$ 306,756
2014 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired percentage of the outstanding equity interest		5.10%
2014 [Member] \| Circle Health Ltd. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired facility, carrying value of sale/leaseback transaction				$ 48,000								£ 28.3
Sale/leaseback transaction, initial term period				15 years	15 years
Sale/leaseback transaction, additional term period				15 years	15 years
Percentage change in annual retail price index, floor rate				2.00%								2.00%
Percentage change in annual retail price index, cap rate				5.00%								5.00%
Acquisition related costs				$ 1,900	£ 1.1
2014 [Member] \| Acute Care Hospital [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs						$ 115,000
Term of lease, years						15 years
Term of lease extension, years						3 years
2014 [Member] \| Acute Care Hospital [Member] \| Fair value market [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Term of lease extension, years						12 years
2014 [Member] \| Acute Care Hospital [Member] \| Alecto Healthcare Services [Member] \| Fairmont West Virginia [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership interest, percentage			20.00%
Acquisition costs			$ 15,000
Term of lease, years			15 years
Term of lease extension, years			5 years
Number of lease extension options in current lease contract \| RenewalOptions			3
Working capital loan to the tenant			$ 5,000
Additional lease period			5 years
Additional fund committed to the tenant for capital improvements			$ 5,000
2014 [Member] \| Median and Waterland [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Interim acquisition loans aggregate amount \| €		€ 425.0
Interim acquisition loans advanced \| €											€ 349.0
2014 [Member] \| Median [Member] \| Waterland [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired percentage of the outstanding equity interest		94.90%
2014 [Member] \| Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition related costs										26,400
Revenue contributed by the acquired entity										12,400
Income contributed by the acquired entity										8,700
Acquisition-related costs on consummated deals										25,200
Acquisition related costs - transfer taxes on consummated deals										5,800
2014 [Member] \| Germany [Member] \| RHM Rehabilitation Facilities [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price of acquisition							$ 81,000			81,000	63.6
Applicable transfer and other taxes on purchase price							$ 3,600			$ 3,600	€ 3.0
Number of facilities acquired \| Facility							3
2014 [Member] \| Germany [Member] \| Bad Mergentheim [Member] \| RHM Rehabilitation Facilities [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds \| Bed							211			211	211
2014 [Member] \| Germany [Member] \| Bad Tolz [Member] \| RHM Rehabilitation Facilities [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds \| Bed							248			248	248
2014 [Member] \| Germany [Member] \| Bad Liebenstein [Member] \| RHM Rehabilitation Facilities [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds \| Bed							271			271	271
2014 [Member] \| Sherman, TX [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price of acquisition	$ 32,500
2014 [Member] \| Sherman, TX [Member] \| Alecto Healthcare Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Working capital loan	$ 7,500
Initial leaseback term								15 years
Ownership interest, percentage	20.00%
2014 [Member] \| Sherman, TX [Member] \| Acute Care Hospital [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds \| Bed	237