Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Real estate assets
Land, buildings and improvements, intangible lease assets, and other	$ 4,310,407	$ 4,317,866
Mortgage loans	1,060,397	1,060,400
Net investment in direct financing leases	650,388	648,102
Gross investment in real estate assets	6,021,192	6,026,368
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(351,462)	(325,125)
Net investment in real estate assets	5,669,730	5,701,243
Cash and cash equivalents	446,948	83,240
Interest and rent receivables	61,912	57,698
Straight-line rent receivables	129,879	116,861
Other loans	154,032	155,721
Other assets	318,229	303,773
Total Assets	6,780,730	6,418,536
Liabilities
Debt, net	3,277,986	2,909,341
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	194,311	207,711
Deferred revenue	19,411	19,933
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	32,451	28,323
Total liabilities	3,524,159	3,165,308
Equity / Capital
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 10,000 shares; no shares outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 500,000 shares; issued and outstanding - 320,801 shares at March 31, 2017 and 320,514 shares at December 31, 2016	321	321
Limited Partners:
Additional paid in capital	3,777,163	3,775,336
Distributions in excess of net income	(443,315)	(434,114)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(86,611)	(92,903)
Treasury shares, at cost	(777)	(262)
Total Medical Properties Trust, Inc. Stockholders' Equity (MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. capital)	3,246,781	3,248,378
Non-controlling interests	9,790	4,850
Total Equity / Capital	3,256,571	3,253,228
Total Liabilities and Equity / Capital	6,780,730	6,418,536
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Real estate assets
Land, buildings and improvements, intangible lease assets, and other	4,310,407	4,317,866
Mortgage loans	1,060,397	1,060,400
Net investment in direct financing leases	650,388	648,102
Gross investment in real estate assets	6,021,192	6,026,368
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(351,462)	(325,125)
Net investment in real estate assets	5,669,730	5,701,243
Cash and cash equivalents	446,948	83,240
Interest and rent receivables	61,912	57,698
Straight-line rent receivables	129,879	116,861
Other loans	154,032	155,721
Other assets	318,229	303,773
Total Assets	6,780,730	6,418,536
Liabilities
Debt, net	3,277,986	2,909,341
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	116,819	132,868
Deferred revenue	19,411	19,933
Lease deposits and other obligations to tenants	32,451	28,323
Payable due to Medical Properties Trust, Inc.	77,102	74,453
Total liabilities	3,523,769	3,164,918
Limited Partners:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(86,611)	(92,903)
Total Medical Properties Trust, Inc. Stockholders' Equity (MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. capital)	3,247,171	3,248,768
Non-controlling interests	9,790	4,850
Total Equity / Capital	3,256,961	3,253,618
Total Liabilities and Equity / Capital	6,780,730	6,418,536
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Equity / Capital
General Partner - issued and outstanding - 3,207 units at March 31, 2017 and 3,204 units at December 31, 2016	33,357	33,436
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Limited Partners:
Limited Partners Capital	$ 3,300,425	$ 3,308,235