Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 68,185	$ 58,226
Non-controlling interests' share in net income	(215)	(298)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(125)	(144)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	67,845	57,784
Loss from discontinued operations		(1)
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 67,845	$ 57,783
Basic weighted-average common shares	321,057	237,510
Dilutive potential common shares	366	309
Diluted weighted-average units	321,423	237,819
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 68,185	$ 58,226
Non-controlling interests' share in net income	(215)	(298)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(125)	(144)
Income from continuing operations, less participating securities' share in earnings	67,845	57,784
Loss from discontinued operations		(1)
Net income, less participating securities' share in earnings	$ 67,845	$ 57,783
Basic weighted-average common shares	321,057	237,510
Dilutive potential common shares	366	309
Diluted weighted-average units	321,423	237,819