(a) The appellate panel may direct the parties and their counsel to appear before the court or participate in a telephone conference call for a pre-hearing conference to consider settlement, simplify issues, or consider any other matters which may expedite the proceedings.
(b) The appellate panel shall issue an order which recites the action taken at the conference and the agreements made by the parties. When entered, the order will control all subsequent proceedings unless modified by the appellate court to prevent injustice.