Earnings Per Share/Unit - Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 43,245	$ 70,543	$ 53,924	$ 58,226	$ 58,339	$ 23,123	$ 22,489	$ 35,976	$ 225,938	$ 139,927	$ 50,798
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations									(889)	(329)	(274)
Participating securities' share in earnings									(559)	(1,029)	(894)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings									224,490	138,569	49,630
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT									(1)		(2)
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings									$ 224,489	$ 138,569	$ 49,628
Basic weighted-average common shares	319,833	246,230	238,082	237,510	237,011	223,948	208,071	202,958	260,414	217,997	169,999
Dilutive potential common shares									658	307	541
Diluted weighted-average common shares	319,994	247,468	239,008	237,819	237,011	223,948	208,640	203,615	261,072	218,304	170,540
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 43,245	$ 70,543	$ 53,924	$ 58,226	$ 58,339	$ 23,123	$ 22,489	$ 35,976	$ 225,938	$ 139,927	$ 50,798
Non-controlling interests' share in continuing operations									(889)	(329)	(274)
Participating securities' share in earnings									(559)	(1,029)	(894)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings									224,490	138,569	49,630
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to MPT									(1)		(2)
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings									$ 224,489	$ 138,569	$ 49,628
Basic weighted-average common shares	319,833	246,230	238,082	237,510	237,011	223,948	208,071	202,958	260,414	217,997	169,999
Dilutive potential common shares									658	307	541
Diluted weighted-average common shares	319,994	247,468	239,008	237,819	237,011	223,948	208,640	203,615	261,072	218,304	170,540