Common Stock/Partners' Capital - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands					12 Months Ended
	Jan. 11, 2021	Dec. 28, 2020	Nov. 08, 2019	Jul. 18, 2019	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued					596,814	541,419
Proceeds from sale of common shares / units, net of offering costs					$ 1,051,229	$ 411,101	$ 2,533,210
Redemption of common units						4,928
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Redemption of common units		$ 4,900				$ 4,928
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Medical Properties Trust, LLC. [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership of general partner					100.00%
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | MPT TRS, Inc [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership of general partner					100.00%
MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Operating Partnership [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership limited partner					100.00%
Common Units [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Number of share sold					53,063	21,004	145,349
Common Units [Member] | MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Number of share sold					52,532	20,795	143,894
Conversion of LTIP units to common units		232				232
Redemption of common units						$ 4,928
Public Offering [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued	36,800		57,500	51,750
Proceeds from sale of common shares / units, net of offering costs	$ 711,000		$ 1,026,000
Additional shares purchased by underwriters				858,100
At-the-Market Equity Offering Program [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of common shares / units, net of offering costs					$ 340,000		$ 650,000
At-the-Market Equity Offering Program [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Number of share sold					16,300	21,000	36,100