There are real estate investment trusts, or REITs, that specialize in virtually any kind of commercial real estate you can think of. Healthcare is one of the more defensive types of real estate, and also has some pretty impressive growth catalysts, so the right healthcare REIT can be a smart long-term growth investment for your portfolio.With that in mind, here's a rundown of what REITs are, what investors should know before buying their first REIT, why healthcare real estate looks like such a compelling investment, and five healthcare REITs that could be worth a look.Image source: Getty Images.Continue reading