Common Stock/Partners' Capital - Additional Information (Detail) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019 shares	Mar. 31, 2019 shares	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($) Employee shares
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of common shares / units, net of offering costs | $			$ 399,353
Employee [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Number of partners shared remaining ownership percentage | Employee			2
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Number of units sold			22,600
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Medical Properties Trust, Inc. [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Ownership interest in equity	99.90%		99.90%
Common Par Value [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Number of share sold	2,467	20,147	22,600