Consolidated Statements of Changes in Capital - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Contributions		$ 47	$ 50
Distributions	$ (173)	(321)	(543)
Reclassification of Noncontrolling Interest - partially owned properties			(8,514)
Buyout of Noncontrolling Interest - partially owned properties		(2,105)	(611)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements and redeemable equity - property	481	(1,073)	13,708
Net (loss) income	58,039	39,473	31,424
Operating Partnership
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance	2,547,634	1,782,318	1,076,461
Net proceeds from sale of Trust common shares and issuance of common units	10,759	844,669	766,841
Trust restricted share award grants, net	6,513	3,821	4,434
Purchase of OP Units	(2,203)	(3,886)	(3,671)
Conversion of OP Units	0	0	0
OP Units - distributions	(172,559)	(158,837)	(119,007)
Preferred distributions	(1,340)	(731)	(1,857)
Issuance of OP Units in connection with acquisition		44,259	23,848
Contributions		47	50
Distributions	(173)	(321)	(543)
Change in market value of Redeemable Limited Partnership interests	146		(245)
Reclassification of Noncontrolling Interest - partially owned properties			(8,514)
Buyout of Noncontrolling Interest - partially owned properties	363	(2,105)	(611)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements and redeemable equity - property	481	(1,073)	13,708
Net (loss) income	58,039	39,473	31,424
Adjustments for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership	0	0	0
Partners' capital, ending balance	2,447,660	2,547,634	1,782,318
Operating Partnership \| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance	13,952	13,708
Change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements and redeemable equity - property	481	244	13,708
Partners' capital, ending balance	14,433	13,952	13,708
Operating Partnership \| General Partner
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance	2,459,220	1,724,743	1,021,132
Net proceeds from sale of Trust common shares and issuance of common units	10,759	844,669	766,841
Trust restricted share award grants, net	6,513	3,821	4,434
Conversion of OP Units	2,525	930	11,619
OP Units - distributions	(167,817)	(153,970)	(115,901)
Preferred distributions	(1,340)	(731)	(1,857)
Issuance of OP Units in connection with acquisition			17,079
Change in market value of Redeemable Limited Partnership interests	146		(245)
Buyout of Noncontrolling Interest - partially owned properties	363	(2,800)	53
Change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements and redeemable equity - property		(1,317)
Net (loss) income	56,230	38,146	29,981
Adjustments for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership	(1,527)	5,729	(8,393)
Partners' capital, ending balance	2,365,072	2,459,220	1,724,743
Operating Partnership \| Limited Partner
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance	73,844	43,142	45,451
Purchase of OP Units	(2,203)	(3,886)	(3,671)
Conversion of OP Units	(2,525)	(930)	(11,619)
OP Units - distributions	(4,742)	(4,867)	(3,106)
Issuance of OP Units in connection with acquisition		44,259	6,869
Buyout of Noncontrolling Interest - partially owned properties		719
Net (loss) income	1,576	1,136	825
Adjustments for Limited Partners ownership in Operating Partnership	1,527	(5,729)	8,393
Partners' capital, ending balance	67,477	73,844	43,142
Operating Partnership \| Total Partners’ Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance	2,547,016	1,781,593	1,066,583
Net proceeds from sale of Trust common shares and issuance of common units	10,759	844,669	766,841
Trust restricted share award grants, net	6,513	3,821	4,434
Purchase of OP Units	(2,203)	(3,886)	(3,671)
OP Units - distributions	(172,559)	(158,837)	(119,007)
Preferred distributions	(1,340)	(731)	(1,857)
Issuance of OP Units in connection with acquisition		44,259	23,948
Change in market value of Redeemable Limited Partnership interests	146		(245)
Buyout of Noncontrolling Interest - partially owned properties	363	(2,081)	53
Change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements and redeemable equity - property	481	(1,073)	13,708
Net (loss) income	57,806	39,282	30,806
Partners' capital, ending balance	2,446,982	2,547,016	1,781,593
Partially Owned Properties Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Contributions		47	50
Distributions	(173)	(321)	(543)
Reclassification of Noncontrolling Interest - partially owned properties			(8,514)
Buyout of Noncontrolling Interest - partially owned properties		(24)	(664)
Net (loss) income	233	191	618
Partially Owned Properties Noncontrolling Interest \| Operating Partnership
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance	618	725	9,878
Issuance of OP Units in connection with acquisition			(100)
Contributions		47	50
Distributions	(173)	(321)	(543)
Reclassification of Noncontrolling Interest - partially owned properties			(8,514)
Buyout of Noncontrolling Interest - partially owned properties		(24)	(664)
Net (loss) income	233	191	618
Partners' capital, ending balance	$ 678	$ 618	$ 725

Buyout of Noncontrolling Interest - Partially Owned Properties

No definition available.

Name:	doc_BuyoutofNoncontrollingInterestPartiallyOwnedProperties
Namespace Prefix:	doc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Partners' Capital Account, Preferred Distributions

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	doc_PartnersCapitalAccountPreferredDistributions
Namespace Prefix:	doc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reclassification of Noncontrolling Interest - Partially Owned Properties

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	doc_ReclassificationofNoncontrollingInterestPartiallyOwnedProperties
Namespace Prefix:	doc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions by the non-wholly owned subsidiary or partially owned entity, included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount after income tax of income (loss) including the portion attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest. Excludes the portion attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest recognized as temporary equity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109239629&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109239629&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 480
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3A
-Subparagraph (3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of increase in noncontrolling interest from subsidiary issuance of equity interests to noncontrolling interest holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109239629&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 23
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108774443&loc=SL4569655-111683

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of tax expense (benefit), before reclassification adjustments, related to increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114867106&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114867106&loc=SL7669646-108580

+ Details

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

- Definition

Change in the different classes of partners' capital accounts during the year due to acquisitions. Partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total distributions to each class of partners (i.e., general, limited and preferred partners).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total change in each class of partners' capital accounts during the year due to exchanges and conversions. Partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total change in each class of partners' capital accounts during the year due to redemptions and adjustments to redemption value. All partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total change in each class of partners' capital accounts during the year due to the sale of units. All partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770

+ Details

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

- Definition

Value of units that were previously issued and have been repurchased during the year.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6828210&loc=d3e70191-108054

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total change in each class of partners' capital accounts during the year due to unit-based compensation. All partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of partners' capital (deficit), including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in partners' capital classified as other.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=doc_PhysiciansRealtyLPMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis=us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis=us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis=doc_PartnersCapitalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=doc_PartiallyOwnedPropertiesNoncontrollingInterestMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: