Disposal group including discontinued operation loss gain on write down.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of real estate or properties that were intended to be sold or held for capital appreciation or rental income. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Cash received for the sale of real estate that is not part of an investing activity during the current period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

Real Estate and Loans Receivable - Corinth Transaction - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 17, 2016	May 23, 2016	Jul. 30, 2015
Proceeds from sale of real estate	$ 64.0
Gain offset by non-cash charges	$ 0.6
Texas [Member]
Gain on sale of real estate				$ 1.5
Post Acute [Member]
Proceeds from sale of real estate		$ 28.0	$ 71.0
Gain on sale of real estate		8.0
Post Acute [Member] \| Texas [Member]
Gain offset by non-cash charges		$ 9.0